Basic Eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship

Basic Eligibility

The HOPE Scholarship program requires students to meet basic eligibility requirements to be awarded initially after high school graduation and maintained while enrolled in an eligible college or university (postsecondary institution).  An eligible student must:

1. Meet U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements;
2. Meet the postsecondary institutions Georgia Residency requirements;
3. Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at a USG, TCSG or eligible private HOPE eligible college or university in Georgia;
4. Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements;
5. Meet the Eligible Postsecondary Institution’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy;
6. Be in good standing on all student loans or other financial aid programs;
7. Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990;
8. Not have exceeded the maximum award limits for any HOPE program

Note: Students must not be in default on any federal or state of Georgia student loan, grant, or scholarship. If a student goes into default on a federal or State of Georgia student loan, the loan must be repaid in full, or the default status resolved before eligibility can be determined for HOPE Scholarship. Students must not owe a refund on a state of Georgia scholarship or grant program. The refund amount must be paid in full before eligibility can be determined for HOPE Scholarship.

 

Georgia Residency

Georgia residency, for purposes of the State Programs, is determined by the eligible college or university.  Documentation proving Georgia residency may be required by the college or university. 

• For students attending an institution in the University System residency determination is based on USG Board of Regents policy.
• For students attending an institution in the Technical College System residency determination is based on TCSG policy.
• For students attending eligible private institutions residency determination is based on Georgia Residency Requirements at Private Institutions regulations.

Students attending a USG or TCSG Institution

• If, the institution determines a student was a Georgia resident at the time of high school graduation, home study completion or High School Equivalency diploma date, the student:
  • Must meet the Georgia residency requirement for a minimum of 12 consecutive months prior to first day of the term for which state funding is sought.

• If, the institution determines a student was not a Georgia resident at the time of high school graduation, home study completion or High School Equivalency diploma date, the student:
  • Must meet the Georgia residency requirement for a minimum of 24 consecutive months prior to first day of the term for which state funding is sought.

Students attending an eligible Private Institution

• Dependent students meet the Georgia Residency requirement, if their Parent or Legal Guardian is an established Georgia resident for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of the college term for which state funding is sought and:
  • Student graduated from an Eligible High School located in the State of Georgia; or
  • Student’s Georgia resident Parent claimed them on the most recent federal income tax return.

• Independent students meet the Georgia Residency requirement, if they are an established Georgia resident for at least 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of the college term for which funding is sought.

• Dependent students do not meet the Georgia Residency requirement, if their Parent or Legal Guardian is not an established Georgia resident at the time of the student’s high school graduation, home study completion or High School Equivalency diploma date.
  • To gain Georgia Residency status, the Parent or Legal Guardian must be an established Georgia resident for a minimum of 24 consecutive months prior to the first day of the college term for which funding is sought.

• Independent students do not meet the Georgia Residency requirement, if they are not an established Georgia resident for at least 12 consecutive months prior to the first day of the college term for which funding is sought.
  • To gain Georgia Residency status, the student must be an established Georgia resident for a minimum of 24 consecutive months prior to the first day of the college term for which funding is sought.

 

*Students must meet all program eligibility requirements.