Frequently Asked Questions
Use the tabs to the left for additional details. Chat with the Virtual Advisor concerning any additional questions you may have.
- What is the HOPE Scholarship and what are the initial academic eligibility requirements?
- What is the Zell Miller Scholarship and what are the initial academic eligibility requirements?
- What are rigor course requirements?
- How is my GPA calculated for scholarship purposes?
- How do Dual Enrollment credit hours affect my HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship eligibility?
- How does a home study student qualify for the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship?
- How can I be evaluated for HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship if I graduated from a high school outside Georgia?
- What other eligibility requirements must I meet in order to receive the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship?
- How do I apply for the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship?
- How much does HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship pay?
- How do I view my HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship GPA?
- What do I need to do to continue to qualify for the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship?
- Are there any limitations to receiving the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship?
What is the HOPE Scholarship and what are the initial academic eligibility requirements?
The HOPE Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that provides assistance towards the cost of tuition at eligible public and private Georgia postsecondary institutions. The academic eligibility requirements are specific to the accreditation status and location of the high school or home study program from which a student graduated. Review the Initial Academic Eligibility for HOPE Scholarship.
What is the Zell Miller Scholarship and what are the initial academic eligibility requirements?
The Zell Miller Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship that provides payment of the standard undergraduate tuition amount at a public postsecondary institution and tuition assistance at an eligible private postsecondary institution. The academic eligibility requirements are specific to the accreditation status and location of the high school or home study from which a student graduated. Please review Initial Academic Eligibility for Zell Miller Scholarship.
What are rigor course requirements?
Students graduating from an eligible high school must meet rigorous course requirements (in addition to other requirements) in order to be eligible for the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships. Credits received must be from advanced math, advanced science, foreign language, and Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Dual Enrollment core course categories. Discuss course options with your high school counselor if you are not sure whether a course meets the rigor requirement.
How is my GPA calculated for HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship purposes?
High School Students: GSFC calculates the HOPE GPA based solely on core course data (English, math, social studies, foreign language, and science including specific fourth science courses) transmitted from the high school, by June 30, for Georgia public and private high school graduating seniors. GSFC cannot change or alter that data in any way. Any grade discrepancies or errors must be corrected by the high school and then resubmitted to GSFC. Contact your high school counselor if you have questions regarding courses and/or grades.
College Students: All degree level courses taken after high school graduation or equivalent and corresponding grades, are counted towards the cumulative college calculated HOPE GPA.
How do Dual Enrollment credit hours affect my HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship eligibility?
Dual Enrollment courses in core subjects are included in your high school calculated HOPE GPA and receive additional weight of .5 for grades of B, C, and D. The hours are considered part of the high school record and cannot be used to gain HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship eligibility upon enrolling in college. Dual Enrollment hours are not included in the cumulative college calculated HOPE GPA, nor do they count toward the 127 attempted or combined paid hours limit.
How does a home study student qualify for the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship?
If you graduate from an unaccredited home study program you may be academically eligible for the HOPE Scholarship or the Zell Miller Scholarship initially or retroactively. Refer to the Academic Eligibility Process for graduates of an ineligible high school or unaccredited home study program located under the Initial Academic Eligibility tab on the left.
How can I be evaluated for HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship if I graduated from a high school outside Georgia?
If you graduate from an out-of-state high school or home study program accredited by an approved agency, you must request a manual evaluation. The initial academic eligibility requirements are the same as graduates from eligible high schools in Georgia. If it is determined that your high school is not accredited by an approved agency, your academic eligibility will be determined following the manual evaluation process for graduates of an ineligible high school or unaccredited home study program. You must request a manual evaluation and upload all required documentation, as a single electronic file, after high school graduation using your GAfutures account. Refer to the out of state high school process located under the Initial Academic Eligibility tab on the left.
What other eligibility requirements must I meet to receive the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship?
In addition to the required minimum GPA and rigor requirement, you must also meet each of the following:
- Meet U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements;
- Meet the postsecondary institutions Georgia Residency requirements;
- Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at a USG, TCSG or eligible private HOPE or Zell Miller eligible college or university in Georgia;
- Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements;
- Meet academic achievement standards;
- Be in good standing on all student loans or other financial aid programs;
- Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990;
- Not have exceeded the maximum award limits for any HOPE program
Check with your college’s financial aid office for additional information and eligibility requirements.
How do I apply for the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship?
A student may apply for the scholarships by completing the GSFAPP (one time completion) or FAFSA (completed each academic year). Check with the postsecondary institution’s financial aid office for scholarship eligibility after submitting an application. Additional documentation may be required by the postsecondary institution.
Note: an academic evaluation is required for graduates of home study programs or out-of-state high schools. Program request forms are available at GAfutures.
How much does HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship pay?
The HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarships award amount assists with the cost of tuition at eligible postsecondary institutions and is dependent upon the specific institution the student attends and your specific hours of enrollment.
How do I view my HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship GPA?
You may view your high school calculated HOPE GPA by signing into your GAfutures account and select My High School HOPE GPA. Upon completion of your first college term, you may view your college calculated HOPE GPA by signing into your GAfutures account and select My College HOPE Profile.
What do I need to do to continue to qualify for the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship?
Students must meet the following requirements to continue to receive the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship:
- For HOPE Scholarship, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 postsecondary GPA at the Attempted-Hours checkpoints.
- For Zell Miller Scholarship, a student must maintain a minimum cumulative 3.3 postsecondary GPA at the Attempted-Hours checkpoints.
- The Attempted-Hours Checkpoints are the end of every Spring term and at the end of the term in which you have attempted 30/60 or 90 semester hours or 45/90/135 quarter hours.
- A student will lose the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship if their GPA is below the minimum requirement at one of the checkpoints and may only regain the scholarship one time.
- A student is ineligible to receive HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship funds once the student has reached the 127 Attempted Hours or Paid Hours limits.
Are there any limitations to receiving the HOPE Scholarship or Zell Miller Scholarship?
A student may receive the scholarship until one of the following occurs:
- Reach the Expiration of Eligibility Limit
- Reach 127 semester hours or 190 quarter paid hours or attempted hours limit, or
- Earn a baccalaureate degree.
