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Overview of Eligible Students

Your eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship is dependent upon when and how you graduated from high school in addition to your academic performance. To understand your eligibility, click on the situation that applies to you:

Graduated from High School in 1993 or later

A student who graduated from high school in 1993 or later as a "HOPE Scholar" may qualify for the HOPE Scholarship in a degree program as an entering freshman at an eligible public college in Georgia. The HOPE Scholarship for students attending private colleges began with students who graduated as HOPE Scholars in 1996 or later. There is no expiration to receive the HOPE Scholarship for degree-seeking students who continue to meet Georgia residency requirements.

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Ineligible as a Freshman or Graduated Prior to 1993

If you graduated from high school before the HOPE program began, or if you were not academically eligible immediately after high school graduation, you may be eligible for a HOPE Scholarship after attempting 30, 60, or 90 semester hours or 45, 90, or 135 quarter hours of study if you have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.

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GED Recipients

Students who earned their GED in Georgia after June 30, 1993, automatically receive a $500 HOPE GED Grant toward their first year of college or technical study. The $500 GED Grant must be used within 24 months of the date of the GED diploma. In addition to the $500 GED Grant, GED students are eligible for the HOPE Scholarship in a degree program once they have attempted their FIRST 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of study with a 3.00 cumulative grade point average. The entry points are based on all degree credit attempted and course work converted to degree credit since the student earned their GED diploma. GED recipients may also qualify for the HOPE Scholarship based upon scoring in the 85th percentile on the SAT or ACT.

GED students can also qualify for the HOPE Grant for Certificate and Diploma Programs covering tuition, HOPE-approved mandatory fees, and a book allowance at public colleges and technical colleges. The HOPE Grant is in addition to the $500 GED Grant.

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Home-Schooled Students or Graduates from Ineligible High Schools

Home-schooled students who completed their home study requirements in 1997 or later and students who graduated from an ineligible high school in 1997 or later may receive the HOPE Scholarship retroactively for their freshman year of college if they earn a 3.00 cumulative grade point average after attempting 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of college credit and meet all other HOPE eligibility requirements. Students who graduate from a home study program accredited by a HOPE-approved accrediting agency, and meet all other HOPE requirements, are eligible for the HOPE Scholarship as entering freshmen. Students who graduate from an ineligible high school or home study program may also qualify for the HOPE Scholarship based upon scoring in the 85th percentile on the SAT or ACT.

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