HOPE Programs

From Abbeville in Wilcox County to Zebulon in Pike County, Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) has provided more than $10 billion of financial assistance for educational programs beyond high school.

The legislation for this program was scripted in 1992 under the supervision of Governor Zell Miller and launched a year later to provide assistance towards the cost of tuition at eligible Georgia postsecondary institutions to incent and reward Georgia’s high achieving students.

Funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education, this unique initiative has helped more than 1.8 million students at eligible state public and private universities and public technical schools to create the “better-educated work force…and invest in (Georgia’s) economic future” as Miller envisioned in his 1992 State of the State Address.

HOPE consists of six different aid programs. For more information on eligibility requirements, program applications, award amounts, participating institutions and other program-specific information, visit GAfutures.

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HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships and Grants

Link	Description
HOPE Scholarship	HOPE Scholarship is a merit-based award available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. A HOPE Scholarship recipient must graduate from high school with a minimum 3.00 grade point average (as calculated by GSFC) and maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative postsecondary grade point average to remain eligible. The scholarship provides tuition assistance to students pursuing an undergraduate degree at a HOPE Scholarship eligible college or university in Georgia. A ten-year limit exists for students first receiving the HOPE Scholarship during summer term 2019 (FY20) or later. A seven-year limit exists for students first receiving the HOPE Scholarship during the 2011-2012 academic year (FY12) or later. A student is ineligible to receive HOPE Scholarship funds once the student has reached the 127 semester or 190 quarter hour limit.
HOPE Grant	HOPE Grant is available to Georgia residents who are pursuing a certificate or diploma. A HOPE Grant recipient must maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative postsecondary grade point average to remain eligible. The grant provides tuition assistance to students enrolled at a HOPE Grant eligible college or university in Georgia. A student is ineligible to receive HOPE Grant funds once the student has reached the 63 semester or 95 quarter hour limit.
Zell Miller Scholarship	Zell Miller Scholarship is a merit-based award available to Georgia residents, similar to the HOPE Scholarship, but with more stringent academic requirements. A Zell Miller Scholarship recipient must graduate from high school with a minimum 3.70 grade point average (as calculated by GSFC), combined with a minimum SAT score of 1200 on the math and reading portions or a minimum composite ACT score of 26 in a single national test administration, and maintain a minimum 3.30 cumulative postsecondary grade point average to remain eligible. Eligible students are provided a higher level of tuition assistance while pursuing an undergraduate degree at a Zell Miller Scholarship eligible college or university in Georgia. A ten-year limit exists for students first receiving the Zell Miller Scholarship during summer term 2019 (FY20) or later. A seven-year limit exists for students first receiving the Zell Miller Scholarship during the 2011-2012 academic year (FY12) or later. A student is ineligible to receive Zell Miller Scholarship funds once the student has reached the 127 semester or 190 quarter hour limit.
Zell Miller Grant	Zell Miller Grant is a merit-based program available to Georgia residents pursuing a certificate or diploma. A Zell Miller Grant recipient must maintain a minimum 3.50 cumulative postsecondary grade point average to remain eligible. Eligible students are provided full standard tuition assistance while enrolled at a Zell Miller Grant eligible college or university in Georgia. A student is ineligible to receive Zell Miller Grant funds once the student has reached the 63 semester or 95 quarter hour limit.
HOPE Career Grant	HOPE Career Grant is available to Georgia residents who are receiving the HOPE Grant or Zell Miller Grant and pursuing an approved certificate or diploma at an eligible college or university in Georgia. The grant provides assistance toward educational costs for students enrolled in career fields that have been identified as strategically important to the state’s economic growth.

Programs and Regulations