Georgia's Helping Our Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Scholarship goes to high school students who show academic excellence and maintain a 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or above. Home schooled children are also eligible for a HOPE home study program. Students can also qualify for the grant by achieving an 85th percentile or higher on their SAT or ACT tests, or through successful completion of courses at an eligible instate college or university with a 3.0 GPA. While the scholarship covers the entire cost of instate tuition to a public school, there are private school grants awarded, too. Full time students can receive $1,750 per semester or $1,166 per quarter. Part time students will receive $875 per semester or $583 per quarter. The grant is recurring if the student maintains eligibility with good academic standing according to the college guidelines. More than 1.2 million students have attended college with the Hope Scholarship.
The Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant Program (GETG) came about to encourage students to attend private schools by offsetting some costs. It is a non-financial need based grant, and anyone meeting the requirements can apply. Students receive $200 per quarter or $300 per semester. Recipients must be residents of Georgia and enrolled as fulltime students in an eligible private college or university. They must meet academic requirements of their specific school. The grant also helps students who live near state borders to attend out-of-state four-year public universities within 50 miles of home.
This scholarship, funded by redirected Georgia state income taxes, is specifically for eligible private schools to assist children from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. The program began in May of 2008 with the creation of the Georgia Education Expense Credit. For Georgia residents, all income tax donations redirected to the fund will receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit. Apogee awards scholarships through the private schools directly. Parents and students wishing to apply will need to contact their school directly. Scholarship awards follow careful consideration.