As Lambert’s Seniors begin the process of college applications and in some cases even start receiving results, the question of how to pay for college is more present than ever. Luckily, the state of Georgia, through the Georgia Student Finance Commision (GSFC), has statewide scholarships and grant opportunities available to help cover the costs of a college education. Two of these programs, the Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) and Zell Miller scholarships, are among the most accessible for Lambert students. However, they still have certain requirements and steps in order to receive these scholarships.
To start, it’s important to note the distinction between these two scholarships. Although both were founded in 1993 by former Georgia Governor Zell Miller and have similar processes to apply, they each have different requirements and award amounts.
To apply for either of these scholarships, students must first ensure that they meet the educational requirements of each scholarship. To receive any form of funding through GSFC programs, students must first submit either the Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the online Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPP). The FAFSA must be submitted every year to continue receiving funding whereas the GSFAPP is valid for 10 years upon submission. The deadline for these two forms is typically the last day of the school term, although the GSFC strongly recommends that they be completed as soon as possible.
“There’s only two ways to get HOPE and Zell Miller, submit the FAFSA or GDFAPP” Lambert Counselor Coach Church said. “When you submit, you’ll automatically receive it as part of your funding package.”
Upon submitting, eligible students can receive the HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships as well as grants. The difference between these two is that the HOPE and Zell Miller grants are for eligible students pursuing a degree or certificate at a technical college and certain public universities, whereas the scholarships are typically for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree at an in-state institution.
The two grants don’t have any requirements in high school, but require students to maintain a college GPA of 2.0 and 3.5 or higher for the HOPE and Zell Miller grants respectively.
The two scholarships, on the other hand, have further requirements. In order to receive the HOPE scholarship, students must graduate from high school with a minimum 3.0 HOPE GPA as calculated by the GSFC. You can check your HOPE GPA online through the GAFutures website – it’ll be automatically updated as Lambert submits your final transcript later this year. You’ll also need to earn a minimum of four full rigor credits by taking the standardized courses on the Academic Rigor Course List. Finally, during college, you’ll need to maintain a 3.0 college GPA or higher to remain eligible for funding.
The Zell Miller scholarship has similar requirements, although they’re more competitive. This time, you need a minimum HOPE GPA of 3.7, calculated the same way as the HOPE scholarship. The required four academic rigor course credits remain the same, although the Zell Miller scholarship will also require students to take an SAT or ACT and score above a certain threshold before submitting those scores to the GSFC. Currently, the score requirements are 1200 or higher for the SAT and 26 or higher for the ACT. Finally, during college, you’ll instead need to maintain a 3.3 or higher college GPA.
Upon submitting their application and ensuring that they meet all the requirements, Lambert students will automatically receive these financial aid programs which will help towards tuition at most colleges and universities in Georgia. The full list of institutions accepting HOPE and Zell Miller grants is available online, as well as the list of institutions accepting the HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships.
“For public universities, HOPE usually covers about 85% of tuition, though that may increase this year,” Coach Church added. “For private colleges they usually match the same amount of money, but it’ll be a lower percentage.”
To know the award amount for the scholarships and grants at your university, students can check online on the GAFutures website. After submitting an application, many Lambert students can receive this state funding and help ease the financial burden of college. Make sure to apply soon and ask your counselor any questions!
