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Maintaining Eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship

Becoming eligible for the HOPE Scholarship is only the first step. There are requirements that you need to be aware of to ensure that you retain the HOPE Scholarship throughout your undergraduate career. The information below highlights what you need to know in order to continue to be eligible for Georgia's HOPE Scholarship or to regain the scholarship while seeking a degree at a Georgia public or private postsecondary institution.

Enrollment

  1. You must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program offered by an eligible public or private college or university or public technical college in Georgia.

  2. There is no minimum number of hours per semester or quarter of enrollment required for eligibility at a public institution. Students attending private colleges and universities must be enrolled full-time (12 hours per term) to receive an award of $3,500 per academic year. Private college students enrolled half-time (6-11 hours per term) may receive an award of $1,750 per academic year.

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Credit Hours and HOPE Cumulative Grade Point Average for Renewal

  1. Students who are eligible to receive HOPE as entering freshmen may receive payment through the term during which the number of attempted (not earned) credits equals at least 30 semester or 45 quarter hours. However, all HOPE Scholarship recipients must have a grade point average of at least a 3.0 at the end of every Spring term in order to continue their eligibility, except for freshmen enrolled for less than 12 credit hours for each of their first three school terms. Freshmen recipients who enroll for less than 12 credit hours for each of their first three school terms must have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 at the end of their third term in order to continue their eligibility.

    All attempted hours and corresponding grades as shown on official transcripts are counted toward the HOPE cumulative grade point average, including remedial study. Additionally, withdrawals are counted as attempted hours even if there is no academic penalty.

  2. If you have a HOPE cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 by the end of the term you attempted 30 semester or 45 quarter hours, you may renew your scholarship for 31 through 60 semester hours or 46 through 90 quarter hours attempted.

  3. If you have earned a HOPE cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 by the end of the term you attempted 60 semester or 90 quarter hours, you may renew your scholarship for 61 through 90 semester hours or 91 through 135 quarter hours attempted.

  4. If you have earned a HOPE cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.0 by the end of the term you attempted 90 semester or 135 quarter hours, you may renew your scholarship for 91 through 127 semester hours or 136 through 190 quarter hours attempted. However, the total cumulative number of credit hours for which you can receive payment from any combination of the HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and Accel programs is 127 semester hours or 190 quarter hours.

  5. If you are enrolled in a specific undergraduate degree program which is designed to be a five-year program, you may renew your scholarship for a total of 150 semester hours or 225 quarter hours attempted or the number of hours required by the program, whichever is less. However, the total cumulative number of credit hours for which you can receive payment from any combination of the HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and Accel programs is 150 semester hours or 225 quarter hours or the number of hours required by the program, whichever is less.

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School Transfers

  1. HOPE Scholarship recipients transferring from one HOPE-eligible Georgia institution to another HOPE-eligible institution are eligible for HOPE funds if they continue to meet all of the eligibility requirements.

  2. The college degree credit hours attempted at any college and corresponding grades are counted toward the HOPE cumulative grade point average, even if those hours and grades are not accepted by the institution to which the student transferred.

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Satisfactory Academic Progress

  1. In order to receive payment each school term, you must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress as determined by your institution even if you have not reached the renewal checkpoints in paragraphs C-G.

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Award Amounts

  1. The HOPE Scholarship award at a public institution covers your actual tuition charges and mandatory fees approved by HOPE at that college.

  2. You are also eligible for a book and supplies allowance at a public college. The award is $150 per semester or $100 per quarter if you are enrolled for 6 or more hours. If you are enrolled for less than 6 hours, the allowance is $75 per semester or $50 per quarter.

  3. The HOPE Scholarship award at a private college is $1,750 per semester or $1,166 per quarter for full-time (12 hours per term) study. Private college students enrolled half-time (6-11 hours per term) may receive an award of $875 per semester or $583 per quarter.

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Default and Refund Due

  1. In order to receive payment each term, you must not be in default or owe a refund on any Federal or State of Georgia student loan, grant, or scholarship. If you have ever gone into default on a Federal or State of Georgia student loan, you must repay your loan completely or totally resolve your default status before you will be eligible for HOPE.

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To Regain the Scholarship

  1. The HOPE Scholarship is a reward for scholastic achievement and an incentive to continue working hard in school. If your cumulative grade point average is below a 3.0 at the end of Spring term, or after your first three terms of enrollment for less than 12 hours per term, or after attempting 30 semester or 45 quarter hours, you may regain your HOPE Scholarship after attempting 60 semester or 90 quarter hours with a cumulative 3.0. If you do not earn a cumulative 3.0 after attempting 60 semester or 90 quarter hours, you may still regain your HOPE Scholarship after attempting 90 semester or 135 quarter hours with a cumulative 3.0. You cannot regain HOPE eligibility at the end of Spring term, unless that term is also when you have attempted 60 semester or 90 quarter hours or 90 semester or 135 quarter hours with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

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To Reapply for HOPE

  1. Depending on your personal circumstances or the college you attend, one of several different forms can be used to reapply for the HOPE Scholarship each year. Contact the financial aid office at the institution you will attend for specific application instructions that best suit your situation. You must file an application before the end of the school term in order to receive payment for that school term.

  2. The postsecondary institution you are attending may also require that you complete the institution's application for financial aid or other additional forms. Please contact the financial aid office for more information.

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Filing Appeals and Exceptions

  1. In order for an appeal or exception to be considered, the student must file a written appeal or request an exception, with supporting documentation, with the Georgia Student Finance Commission office within 45 days of receiving notice of denial. Please address correspondence to Program Administration, Georgia Student Finance Commission, 2082 East Exchange Place, Tucker, GA 30084.

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