Understanding the High School HOPE GPA
The high school HOPE GPA calculation is used for the purpose of determining academic eligibility for HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship. A student's high school HOPE GPA is not the same as his or her high school GPA.
Accredited Georgia public and private high schools electronically submit transcript data and academic rigor to GSFC for the calculation for HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship GPA to determine students’ initial academic eligibility.
Students from other high schools and home study program submit an official transcript (see Initial Academic Eligibility).
Courses
The high school HOPE GPA calculation includes core courses as defined by Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE).
The eligible core courses begin with the following prefixes:
- English - course numbers beginning with 23
- Mathematics - course numbers beginning with 27
- Science – course numbers beginning with 26 or 40
- Social studies – course numbers beginning with 45
- Foreign language – course numbers beginning with 60 – 64
- Specific fourth science courses from GaDOE’s Fourth Science List
Note: Private high schools and accredited home study programs must match their courses to the GaDOE’s course equivalent for HOPE Scholarship purposes.
Grades and Weighting
All grades earned (pass and fail) for attempted coursework in the core subjects during the student's 9th through 12th grade years that could be used to satisfy a core course graduation requirement, according to GaDOE, is equated to a grade on a traditional 4.0 scale to two decimal places, where an "A" equals 4.0, "B" equals 3.0, "C" equals 2.0, "D" equals 1.0, and "F" equals 0. Note: There is not a separate scale for grades that include a plus (+) or minus (-), example “B-“ equals 3.0.
Note: The high school HOPE GPA calculation will count all attempts of the same course, if taken more than once.
From the eligible core courses, any weighting added by the high school is removed, then half a point (0.5) is added back to grades of “B”, “C”, “D”, and “F” for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Dual Enrollment (DE) degree-level core courses.
Note: The grade of “A” does not receive the additional weight due to the traditional 4.0 scale (maximum of four points per grade).
Note: Honors coursework is not weighted.
Note: The HOPE Scholarship GPA calculation does not allow for any rounding.
Academic Rigor Requirements
A student meeting the requirements to be a HOPE Scholar at the time of high school graduation must earn a minimum of four full rigor credits from the Academic Rigor Course List prior to graduating from high school.
Credits received for academic rigor courses must be from the categories below:
- Advanced math, such as advanced algebra and trigonometry, math III, taken at the high school, or an equivalent or higher course taken for degree level credit at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution;
- Advanced science, such as chemistry, physics, biology II, taken at the high school, or an equivalent or higher course taken for degree level credit at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution;
- Foreign language courses taken at the high school, or taken for degree level credit at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution; or
- Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Dual Enrollment degree-level core courses.
My High School HOPE GPA
Georgia public and private high school students may check their high school HOPE GPA calculation and status upon completion of the 9th grade and by signing into their GAfutures account and select My High School HOPE GPA.
Example of a High School HOPE GPA Calculation:
Course Number |
Course Name | Credit Hours | Grade Received | Weight for AP, IB, DE | Grade Value | Quality Points | Included in HOPE GPA? |
23.06500 |
AP English Literature and Composition |
1 |
C |
0.5 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
Yes, weighted AP core course |
36.04300 |
Advanced Track and Field |
1 |
A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
No, not a core course |
27.09900 |
GSE Algebra I |
1 |
B |
N/A |
3 |
3 |
Yes, core course |
45.03200 |
Dual Enrollment Ethnic Studies |
1 |
B |
0.5 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
Yes, weighted degree level core Dual Enrollment course |
Total: | 3 | 9 |
Term GPA: 9 / 3 = 3.0 GPA
The grade value multiplied by the number of credit hours equals the number of quality points. The total quality points divided by the number of credit hours equals the grade point average.
*Students must meet all eligibility requirements to qualify for the Scholarship.