Georgia HOPE Scholarship
Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC / GAfutures)
Merit scholarship for Georgia residents that pays most of standard undergraduate tuition at Georgia colleges: up to $5,256 per semester at 15 hours in 2026-27 (Georgia Tech, the highest public rate).
- How much
- Per-credit-hour award toward standard tuition; up to $5,256 per semester at 15 hours (Georgia Tech, 2026-27); amount varies by college and hours
- Who qualifies
- 3.0 HOPE-calculated high school GPA plus four academic-rigor credits (or 1160 SAT / 24 ACT for ineligible high schools, unaccredited home study or HSE); keep a 3.0 HOPE GPA at checkpoints. Georgia residency as determined by the college (12 months before the term if a GA resident at high school graduation, otherwise 24). Degree-seeking at a USG, TCSG or eligible private Georgia college; private colleges require at least 6 hours. Selective Service and drug-free compliance; not in default.
- For high school seniors, students starting college, undergrads, transfer students
- U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen
- When to apply
- Apply any time FAFSA or GSFAPP by the last day of the term (or your withdrawal date); apply early. Eligibility is checked at high school graduation and at college checkpoints.
- How to apply
- Complete the FAFSA each year, or the Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPP) on GAfutures
- Your Georgia high school sends your transcript to GSFC, which calculates your HOPE GPA
- Your college determines eligibility and awards it
- What you'll need
- FAFSA + state application + transcript
The details
Pays a per-credit-hour award toward standard undergraduate tuition at an eligible Georgia public college (up to 15 hours a term, full- or part-time), or a flat half-time/full-time award at an eligible private college (up to 12 hours). 2026-27 examples from GSFC's award-amount table: Georgia Tech $350.40/hour ($5,256 at 15 hours), University of Georgia $334.47/hour ($5,017 at 15 hours), Georgia State $4,590 at 15 hours, many regional universities $2,610-$2,805 at 15 hours, Albany Technical College $107/hour; private colleges such as Emory $2,985 per semester full-time, $1,493 half-time. Initial eligibility: graduate from an eligible high school with a 3.0 HOPE-calculated GPA and at least four full academic-rigor credits (graduates of ineligible high schools, unaccredited home study or an HSE diploma qualify with a 1160 SAT / 24 ACT, or by earning a 3.0 college GPA after 30 attempted hours). Students who miss it out of high school can earn it in college with a 3.0 HOPE GPA at the 30, 60 or 90 attempted-hour checkpoint. Keep it with a 3.0 HOPE GPA at each checkpoint (30/60/90 hours and end of every spring); it can be regained once. Ends at 127 attempted or combined-paid semester hours, a bachelor's degree, or June 30 of the tenth year after high school graduation.
More money from Georgia
- Georgia Zell Miller Scholarship100% of standard undergraduate tuition at public colleges; up to $5,309 per semester (Georgia Tech, 2026-27); amount varies by college and hours
- DREAMS ScholarshipUp to $1,500 per term, $3,000 per year (capped at unmet need)
- Georgia College Completion Grant (GCCG)Up to $2,500 (lifetime maximum), applied to your outstanding balance
- Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG)$550 per semester ($367 per quarter), up to three semesters or four quarters a year (2026-27)
- HOPE Career Grant$125-$500 per term for most programs; up to $1,100 per truck-driving program; up to $3,750 for Basic Law Enforcement
Keep looking
- Answer a few questions to see every program you qualify for
- Nearby states: Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
- Federal aid and national scholarships (open to students in any state)
- The FAFSA in plain English (2027-28)
- Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?
- FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
- The FAFSA for parents: what you need to do
- How to save on textbooks: free, rented and cheaper options
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