History
Below is a timeline highlighting the agency's history of providing student financial aid and educational services for Georgians of all ages.
2023
GSFC celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the HOPE Scholarship program. GEORGIA MATCH, one of the largest state-run direct admissions initiatives in the country, is launched. Over 130,000 public and private high school seniors received a personalized GEORGIA MATCH letter showing which public colleges and universities in Georgia are holding a spot for them based on their 11th-grade HOPE GPA and freshman index score. GSFC launched the Georgia Behavioral Health Professions Service Cancelable Loan and the Inclusive Postsecondary Education Grant programs.
2022
GSFC launched the Georgia College Completion Grant, and the Realizing Educational Achievement Can Happen (REACH) program expanded to 180 school systems throughout the state.
2018
GSFC celebrated the 25th anniversary of the HOPE Scholarship.
2016
GAfutures.org, a free online resource helping students and their families with tools and information to plan for, apply to, and pay for college, is launched.
2015
GSFC turns 50.
2012
Five school systems (Bulloch County, Dodge County, Douglas County, Quitman County, and Rabun County) begin participation in REACH, the state’s first public-private, needs-based mentorship and scholarship program.
2012
Path2College 529 marketing team moves operations to offices in Tucker.
2011
The Zell Miller Scholarship is created, covering 100 percent of tuition for graduates with a 3.7 HOPE GPA and a qualifying SAT or ACT score.
2007
The HOPE GPA for all Georgia high school graduates is calculated for the first time by GSFC.
2005
GAcollege411.org launched as a mentor site.
2002
Path2College, the state’s official 529 college savings plan, is established.
2000
In seven years, more than 500,000 students received financial assistance from HOPE, totaling nearly $1 billion in awards.
1998
Georgia ranks No. 1 among 50 states in academic-based student financial aid due to HOPE, according to a study by the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs.
1995
Students who lose their HOPE scholarships are given a second chance.
1993
The first HOPE Scholarship Award is awarded to a student at Gwinnett Technical College.
1992
Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) is created.
1983
GSFC implements the PLUS Loan Program.
1980
Georgia General Assembly creates the Georgia Student Finance Commission to succeed the State Scholarship Commission. The Georgia Student Finance Authority (GSFA), a nonprofit public corporation of the state, is created to succeed GHEAA.
1979
$22.5 million is guaranteed in student loans for Georgia residents, a 43 percent increase from the previous year’s total.
1969
The Georgia Student Finance Authority Act created the Georgia Higher Education Assistance Authority (GHEAA) to administer student loans, grants, and scholarship programs.
1966
The Georgia Legislature makes GHEAC an independent agency and the Board of Directors elects Dr. Donald Payton as Executive Director and Treasurer.
1965
The General Assembly creates the State Scholarship Commission to assist with student aid. At the same time, the Assembly creates the Georgia Higher Education Assistance Corporation (GHEAC) to guarantee student loans.