Founded by Former Governor Zell Miller, Georgia’s HOPE - Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally – scholarship program is the most successful education initiative in Georgia history.

HOPE rewards students with financial assistance in degree, diploma, and certificate programs at eligible Georgia public and private colleges and universities, and public technical colleges. The HOPE Program began in 1993. Since that time, more than $3.8 billion in HOPE funds has been awarded to more than 1.1 million students attending colleges, universities, and technical colleges in Georgia.

Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship provides eligible students wishing to attend a Georgia public college or university with full tuition, approved mandatory fees, and a $300 per semester book allowance ($150 part-time).  Room and board expenses are not covered. To be eligible, a student must be a Georgia residents, a 1993 or later high school graduate and have completed high school with a “B” average.  Students must maintain a “B” average in college.

If an eligible student attends a private college or university in Georgia, HOPE will provide $3,500 per academic school year. Half-time students (6-11 hours) attending private colleges can receive a HOPE Scholarship in the amount of $1,750 per academic year.

Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship is also available to eligible students wishing to attend a public technical college.  Students enrolled in a diploma or certificate programs are eligible regardless of their high school graduation date or grade average.

Students are not required to be full-time enrolled at public institutions but must be enrolled full time (12 hours) or half-time (6-12 hours) at private institutions.

The program has had an extraordinary impact on education in Georgia.  Student enrollment at Georgia’s colleges, universities and technical colleges has increased since HOPE’s inception.  Through HOPE, access to education after high school has become possible for thousands of Georgians.

Sources: Georgia Student Finance Commission, www.gsfc.org, May 2008 2006-2007 State of Georgia K-12 Report Card for Bibb County Georgia Department of Education