Zell Miller Scholarship and HOPE Scholarship Information
Zell Miller Scholarship and HOPE Scholarship are available to Georgia Residents (according to the University System of Georgia and the Georgia Student Finance Commission residency requirements) who have demonstrated academic achievement. If eligible, Zell Miller Scholarship or HOPE Scholarship can provide money to assist students with tuition costs. Please visit the GaFutures website for more extensive information regarding the Zell Miller Scholarship and HOPE Scholarship.
If you recently graduated from high school, you can only be awarded after Georgia Student Finance Commission has evaluated your high school transcripts. You can view this information by tracking your HOPE academic eligibility. My College HOPE Profile, students who have earned the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship can track their academic eligibility while attending a HOPE-eligible Georgia college or university
If you are not a HOPE Scholar at the time of high school graduation, you could be eligible to earn the HOPE Scholarship by meeting the the eligibility requirements at the completion of 30, 60, or 90 attempted hours. **Coursework taken as a dual credit enrollment cannot be used to gain HOPE Scholarship eligibility.
Zell Miller and HOPE Scholars must meet basic eligibility requirements, demonstrate academic achievements, and be within the length of eligibility.
Basic Eligibility Requirements: The Zell Miller Scholarship and HOPE Scholarship requires students to meet these basic eligibility requirements to be awarded initially after high school and maintained while enrolled in an eligible college or university
- Basic Eligibility-HOPE Scholarship | Georgia Student Finance Commission (gafutures.org)
- Basic Eligibility-Zell Miller Scholarship | Georgia Student Finance Commission (gafutures.org)
Initial Academic Eligibility: In addition to the basic eligibility requirements, HOPE and Zell Miller Scholars are required to meet academic eligibility requirements.
- Initial Academic Eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship | Georgia Student Finance Commission (gafutures.org)
- Initial Academic Eligibility for the Zell Miller Scholarship | Georgia Student Finance Commission (gafutures.org)
Academic Eligibility in College: HOPE and Zell Miller Scholars have academic requirements that must be met to maintain eligibility, while in college.
- Academic Eligibility in College-HOPE Scholarship | Georgia Student Finance Commission (gafutures.org)
- Academic Eligibility in College-Zell Miller Scholarship| Georgia Student Finance Commission (gafutures.org)
Limits and Expiration of Eligibility: HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship has limits to how long students can receive the scholarship payments based on Expiration of Eligibility, Ten Year Eligibility Limit, and Seven Year Eligibility Limit.
Award Amounts
Award Amounts: Award amounts are determined annually by Georgia Student Finance Commission. The HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship award amount is applied towards standard undergraduate tuition, up to a maximum of 15 hours, for the specific number of hours enrolled in eligible courses, whether full time or part time.
Application Process
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- Step 1: Review basic eligibility requirements, academic eligibility requirements, and limits and expiration of eligibility listed above. If you believe that you are eligible, please proceed to the next step.
- Step 2: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Complete the online Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPP). The FAFSA must be completed annually. The GSFAPP remains valid for 10 years. Please be mindful that if you opt to complete the GSFAPP in lieu of the FAFSA, then you can only be reviewed for the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarships.
- Step 3: Send an email to request HOPE Scholarship. Be sure to include your Laker ID Number.
Highlights of Things to Know
To be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship, you must meet the following requirements:
- Must meet Basic Eligibility Requirements
- Must maintain Academic Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a final HOPE Scholar if less than 30 attempted hours. This means your GPA is an eligible GPA for the HOPE scholarship.
- Must have at least a 3.0 HOPE GPA, which includes all college level coursework attempted since high school and from any institution attended.
- Must not have reached your expiration of eligibility date. When you receive your first
HOPE scholarship payment, GSFC will determine your eligibility limit.
- Must have attempted less than 127 hours.
- Must not have reached your expiration of eligibility date. When you receive your first HOPE scholarship payment, GSFC will determine your eligibility limit.
- Must not have earned a baccalaureate (four-year) degree, regardless of whether or not HOPE funds were received while earning the degree.
- Must complete an application: FAFSA or GSFAPPS.