HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant and Zell Miller Scholarship

What are the eligibility requirements for HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant and/or the Zell Miller Scholarship? The requirements for these program can be found here.

Do I have to apply for HOPE? If so, how do I apply? Yes. Students can complete the GSFAPPS OR the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for HOPE or the Zell Miller Scholarship. Students who complete the GSFAPPS can only be reviewed for HOPE or the Zell Miller Scholarships. The FAFSA must be completed for the appropriate academic year in order to be reviewed for federal financial aid such as grants and loans. Students who choose the GSFAPPS should email the Financial Aid Office at FinancialAid@clayton.edu after completion of the application.

I think I'm eligible for HOPE, but it's not on my award. What should I do? If you were not awarded HOPE but believe that you are eligible, please email the Financial Aid Office at FinancialAid@clayton.edu.

What is the difference between the HOPE Scholarship and the HOPE Grant? The HOPE Scholarship is available to students enrolled in a degree program of study who meet the grade point average requirements, as well as all other eligibility requirements. The HOPE Grant is for students enrolled in an eligible certificate program of study who are only taking courses required for completion of that certificate program.

Can I receive HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, or the Zell Miller Scholarship if I have a bachelor's degree? None of the HOPE programs are available for students who have a bachelor's degree.

I think I am eligible for the HOPE Scholarship. What should I do? If you did not graduate from an eligible Georgia High School as a "HOPE Scholar", you may be evaluated by the Financial Aid Office once you have attempted 30 semester hours with a minimum 3.0 HOPE GPA. This is called your "30-hour Checkpoint". If you do not meet the HOPE eligibility requirements at 30 attempted hours, you may be re-evaluated at 60 and 90 attempted hours. Make sure you understand what hours are counted in your HOPE attempted hours (see question below regarding HOPE Attempted hours). Please note that you must also meet all other HOPE Scholarship requirements which can be found on the Gacollege411 website.

You must contact the Financial Aid Office at FinancialAid@clayton.edu if you would like to be reviewed for HOPE at one of these checkpoints.

If you were not awarded HOPE but believe that you are eligible for HOPE funds, please email the Financial Aid Office at FinancialAid@clayton.edu.

I am a transfer student. What do I need to do to receive HOPE? You must make sure that FINAL academic transcripts from every institution that you have attended since high school have been mailed to the Clayton State University Registrar’s Office. This requirement applies to all previously attended institutions regardless of whether Clayton State University accepted the hours for transfer credit. If you believe that you are HOPE eligible as a transfer student, you must email the Financial Aid Office at FinancialAid@clayton.edu and request that we review you for HOPE. This cannot be done until ALL final transcripts have been received. Please note that processing your HOPE award may take up to 8 weeks after all of your transcripts have been received by the Registrar's Office. Additional information for Transfer Students can be found here.

Do I have to be enrolled full-time to receive HOPE or the Zell Miller Scholarship? No, you do not have to be enrolled full-time.

Will HOPE cover all my charges? No. Effective Fall Semester 2011, HOPE will pay approximately 90% of the standard tuition rate charged in 2010-2011. Actual HOPE payments will be based on a “per credit hour” rate of $132.07 (for the 1314 academic year) or your actual matriculation charge whichever is less. Effective Fall Semester 2011 there is no HOPE award for fees or books.

If I withdraw from some of my classes, how will my award be affected? If you withdraw from some or all of your classes during the schedule adjustment (drop/add), your funds will be adjusted. After the drop/add period, if you withdraw from some of your classes or all of your classes after the refund period, your funds will not be adjusted.

How can I check my HOPE GPA? After logging onto the Duck, go to:

Main Menu
Student Services
Student Records
Student Academic History
HOPE GPA is listed under "Academic Information"

How can I check my HOPE Scholarship eligibility status? After logging onto the Duck, go to:

Main Menu
Student Services
View Student Information
Display Unofficial Transcript - click "Submit"
Scroll down to "Hope Eligibility Status"

Why is there a difference between the GPA that I see on the DUCK and my HOPE GPA? Your HOPE GPA is not necessarily the same as the cumulative GPA that you see in the DUCK. Your HOPE GPA is made up of all attempted hours and grades, including learning support and transfer hours regardless of whether Clayton State accepted the courses for credit. All credit hours attempted after high school graduation are considered in determining a student’s HOPE eligibility regardless of whether the credit hours were paid for by HOPE.

When are the HOPE Scholarship and the Zell Miller Scholarship checkpoints? You will be checked for HOPE eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship and the Zell Miller Scholarship at your 30th, 60th, and 90th attempted hours AND at the End-of-Spring Checkpoint.

Where can I get more information on the End-of-Spring Checkpoint? More information can be found here on the End-of-Spring Checkpoint.

Is there a checkpoint for the HOPE Grant? Yes. You will be checked at the 30th and 60th attempted hours if you have the HOPE Grant.

Can I lose my HOPE eligibility before I reach a HOPE checkpoint? Yes. HOPE recipients must meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards used by Clayton State, regardless of whether or not the student has reached a HOPE checkpoint. The SAP policy can be found here.

If I lose my eligibility, can I get it back? Yes. Effective Fall Semester 2011, students have ONE opportunity to regain the HOPE Scholarship after they attempt 30 semester hours, 60 semester hours or 90 semester hours of study with a 3.00 cumulative HOPE GPA.

Students who have the Zell Miller Scholarship have ONE opportunity to regain eligibility after they attempt 30 semester hours, 60 semester hours or 90 semester hours of study with a 3.3 cumulative HOPE GPA.

Is there a limit to how many hours HOPE will cover? Yes. You will no longer be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship or the Zell Miller Scholarship when:

You have attempted 127 hours regardless of whether HOPE paid for those hours.
You have received a bachelor’s degree.
HOPE has paid for 127 hours (these paid hours include HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, Zell Miller Scholarship and the HOPE Accel programs).

You will no longer be eligible for the HOPE Grant when:

HOPE Grant has paid for 63 semester hours. Hours for which a student received the HOPE Grant prior to Summer 2003 are not counted as HOPE paid hours.
HOPE has paid for 127 hours (these paid hours include HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and the HOPE Accel programs).
You have received a bachelor’s degree.

What about HOPE for transient students? Clayton State University students who are eligible for HOPE and plan to attend another school must contact the Clayton State University Financial Aid Office. Students who are enrolled at another school but want to attend Clayton State University should contact their school’s Financial Aid Office. Additional information for transient students can be found on our website.

Where can I get additional information on the HOPE programs? Additional information can be found at GAcollege411.