Understanding the High School HOPE GPA
The high school HOPE GPA calculation is used for the purpose of determining academic eligibility for HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship. A student's high school HOPE GPA is not the same as his or her high school GPA.
Accredited Georgia public and private high schools electronically submit transcript data and academic rigor to GSFC for the calculation for HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship GPA to determine students’ initial academic eligibility.
Students from other high schools and home study program submit an official transcript (see Initial Academic Eligibility).
Courses
The high school HOPE GPA calculation includes core courses as defined by Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE).
The eligible core courses begin with the following prefixes:
- English - course numbers beginning with 23
- Mathematics - course numbers beginning with 27
- Science – course numbers beginning with 26 or 40
- Social studies – course numbers beginning with 45
- Foreign language – course numbers beginning with 60 – 64
- Specific fourth science courses from GaDOE’s Fourth Science List
Academic Rigor Requirements
A student meeting the requirements to be a HOPE Scholar at the time of high school graduation must earn a minimum of four full rigor credits from the Academic Rigor Course List prior to graduating from high school.
Credits received for academic rigor courses must be from the categories below:
- Advanced math, such as advanced algebra and trigonometry, math III, taken at the high school, or an equivalent or higher course taken for degree level credit at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution;
- Advanced science, such as chemistry, physics, biology II, taken at the high school, or an equivalent or higher course taken for degree level credit at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution;
- Foreign language courses taken at the high school, or taken for degree level credit at an Eligible Postsecondary Institution; or
- Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or Dual Enrollment degree-level core courses.
