Hope Scholarship Information For Homeschoolers

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HOPE Scholarship for Home Schoolers

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Home school students who maintain a "B" average during their first year in college may retroactively qualify for a HOPE Scholarship under a program approved by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).

"Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Program is about expanding educational opportunities to all Georgia children," said GSFC Board chairman Richard Maddux. "Home school students who meet our academic criteria should be able to earn a HOPE Scholarship, just like students in our public high schools."

Currently, students who graduate from an accredited Georgia high school with a cumulative "B" average (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) qualify for a HOPE Scholarship to attend one of Georgia's public or private colleges or universities.

The scholarship to public institutions covers tuition, approved mandatory fees and a $150 per semester book allowance.

For students who choose a private college, HOPE will cover up to $3,000 per year for tuition, plus students are eligible for an additional $1,100 Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant.

Georgia's HOPE Scholarship also pays tuition, approved mandatory fees and a $100 per quarter/$150 per semester book allowance for students attending technical institutes.

HOPE Scholarships are funded by proceeds from the Georgia Lottery.

Under the program adopted by the GSFC board, home schoolers who are admitted to one of Georgia's public or private colleges or universities and earn a 3.0 during their freshman year may retroactively qualify for a HOPE Scholarship. Like other students, they will remain HOPE eligible if they maintain that "B" average.

This information is only to be used as general information about the Hope Scholarship. Please check with the Georgia Student Finance Commission to apply for and find out more details and requirements for the Hope Scholarship at www.gsfc.org , 770-724-9030, or 1-800-546-HOPE. Updated 11/02

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The above is for the state of Georgia. Post your state's scholarship info too. This will help others so much.

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Hope Grant Information-from G.H.E.A. site

Hope Grant

(from gsf.org website)

Georgia residents who are attending a Georgia public technical college to earn a certificate or diploma are eligible for a HOPE Grant regardless of high school graduation date or grade average. You may receive the Hope Grant for an unlimited number of programs that qualify under the guidelines.

Full-time enrollment is not required, but you must be making satisfactory academic progress to maintain eligibility. You are not required to maintain a "B" average to renew your HOPE Grant.

The HOPE Grant covers tuition, HOPE-approved mandatory fees, and a book allowance of up to $100 per quarter.

How to Apply
All HOPE applicants attending an eligible technical college must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the HOPE Scholarship and Grant Application each year.

These applications are available at any eligible Georgia public technical college. Ask the financial aid office at the technical college you plan to attend for the necessary application. A student may also apply for HOPE by completing an e-HOPE (online) application at www.gsfc.org/ehope


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Implications for Home Schoolers

A student may enter a program that results in a "certificate" such as "web design" or in the case of CCSU, "Information Technology Certificate", and take the courses under coverage of the Hope Grant. No previous record of grades or accredited school is required. All of Georgia's technical schools have certificate programs in various occupational areas and some undergraduate schools, like CCSU, do as well.

This gives the student the ability to complete "college level" courses prior to high school graduation and have a "college record" to present on arrival at the admissions office. If the student can obtain 30 semester hours of credit with a B average using the Hope Grant, application can be made for Hope Scholarship funds for the next semester.