ATLANTA, GA – Three Georgia students have been selected as recipients of the GEORGIA MATCH Peer Influencer Giveaway for their efforts to promote the new GEORGIA MATCH program. Georgina Martinez (Coahulla Creek High School), Justin Riddick (Fulton Leadership Academy), and Zoey Harvin (Berkmar High School) were given the choice of a new iPhone or MacBook presented to them by the Georgia Student Finance Commission at their respective high schools.

“GEORGIA MATCH is wonderful program. Everyone should check it out and see what they have to offer. I’m very grateful to have won. It was a great opportunity and I’m glad I took it. I am going to take advantage of this MacBook in college and beyond,” said Justin Riddick.

GEORGIA MATCH is one of the largest state-run direct admissions programs in the country. Over 132,000 high school seniors in Georgia received a personalized letter from Governor Brian P. Kemp listing the public colleges and universities holding a spot for them in the Fall 2024 semester based on their academic eligibility. All students will receive a letter indicating academic eligibility for admission to the twenty-two Technical College System of Georgia institutions. Students with higher preliminary grade point averages will also see up to twenty-three University System of Georgia institutions.

“Governor Kemp’s GEORGIA MATCH initiative is a transformational approach to college admissions in our state,” said Georgia Student Finance Commission President Lynne Riley. “Thousands of Georgia students who meet the academic eligibility for college admission in Georgia do not apply. GEORGIA MATCH simplifies the process, making it easy for students to view their options, compare programs and costs, and claim their spot. We are proud of our Peer Influencer Giveaway winners for their dedicated efforts to encourage students to utilize the GEORGIA MATCH program.”

To be eligible for the Peer Influencer Giveaway, students posted a photo or video with their GEORGIA MATCH letter on X or Instagram, used the hashtag #GEORGIAMATCH, tagged their high school and @GAfutures, and made the post publicly accessible. The contest ran in November concurrent with Georgia Apply to College Month, where fifty colleges and universities waived their application fees for high school seniors. There will be another opportunity for students to take advantage of college application fee waivers in March.

GEORGIA MATCH is an education and workforce initiative of Governor Kemp, developed in collaboration with the Governor’s Office of Planning & Budget, Governor’s Office of Student Achievement, Georgia Department of Education, Georgia Student Finance Commission, Technical College System of Georgia, and University System of Georgia. Students may view their personalized MATCH list, request more information, claim their spot, and learn more at gafutures.org/GEORGIAMATCH.

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Hayley Corbitt, Director of External Affairs
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