HOPE SCHOLARSHIP
The HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Scholarship Program is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and is available only to degree-seeking undergraduate students who meet the definition of a Georgia Resident for HOPE Scholarship Purposes.
Student academic eligibility for the Georgia HOPE Scholarship as a high school graduate is determined by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) based on the academic data provided them by the student's Georgia high school.
Students who do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the HOPE Scholarship upon high school graduation may become eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship after attempting the equivalent of at least 30 semester hours of college level coursework after high school graduation, provided they also meet the Georgia residency and U.S. citizenship requirements set forth below and have a HOPE college Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 at the end of the term in which they attempted their 30th semester credit hour. Students who have attempted more than 30 semester hours of coursework must have at least a 3.00 HOPE GPA at the end of the semester in which they attempted their 60th or 90th semester hour.
For comprehensive information on the HOPE Scholarship, please visit the Web site.
Amount of HOPE Scholarship
The amount of a semester's HOPE payment is equal to undergraduate tuition and covered mandatory fees for the semester, less the amount of any other scholarship or educational assistance which must be applied solely to the student's tuition. For example, an otherwise eligible veteran training under the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Chapter 31, Title 38, USC) would not receive any HOPE Scholarship funds because the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays the student's tuition and fees.
By action of the Georgia General Assembly, the maximum covered mandatory fees amount under the HOPE Scholarship is $ 90 for each of the Fall and the Spring Semesters(the 2003-04 covered amount). Fee increases are not paid by the HOPE Scholarship. HOPE recipients are also entitled to a book allowance of $150 per semester if enrolled in six (6) or more credit hours, or $75 if enrolled in fewer than six credit hours.
HOPE Scholarship Application Process (GSFAPPS)
I have not completed the GSFAPPS HOPE Scholarship Application at GAcollege411.org
You need to complete a GSFAPPS. If you have not already done so you must first create an account in and be logged onto that website to complete the GSFAPPS. Once you have created an account you can login to .
Then:- Click on the tab at the top labeled "Applications & Transcripts"
- Click on the link "GSFAPPS"
You must complete and transmit the GSFAPPS no later than the last day of the term for which you are seeking the HOPE Scholarship in order for you to be considered for HOPE that term.
I have completed the GSFAPPS HOPE Scholarship Application at GAcollege411.org
Students who have completed the GSFAPPS HOPE Scholarship Application at generally do not need to reapply for the HOPE Scholarship if they have been continuously enrolled and have received a disbursement of the HOPE Scholarship within the last two semesters. If you have had a two semester break in enrollment or have lost your HOPE Scholarship eligibility for two consecutive semesters, you may need to complete a GSFAPPS. Contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) at 1-800-505-4732 for further information.
If you have not already done so you must first create an account in and be logged onto that website to complete the GSFAPPS. Once you have created an account you can login to .
Then:- Click on the tab at the top labeled "Applications & Transcripts"
- Click on the link "GSFAPPS"
You must complete and transmit the GSFAPPS no later than the last day of the term for which you are seeking the HOPE Scholarship in order for you to be considered for HOPE that term.
Please note that because GSFAPPS is a Web application you may encounter intermittent problems with access or the ability to transmit the application. If you do, please contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) at 1-800-505-4732 to request assistance.
Note: Male students must register with the .
If you also wish to apply for Federal Student Aid (including loans) please go to
Length of HOPE Eligibility
Eligible students may continue to receive the HOPE Scholarship if they have a 3.00 or better HOPE GPA at the end of the semesters in which they attempt their 30/60/90th credit hours. In addition, there is an End-of-Spring Semester Checkpoint for all HOPE Scholarship recipients. You must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA at the end of each Spring term in order to continue eligibility, except for Freshman recipients who enrolled in fewer than 12 hours for each of their first three terms. All credit hours attempted after high school graduation are considered in determining a student's HOPE eligibility regardless of whether the credit hours were paid for by HOPE or not. NOTE: The HOPE GPA does not necessarily match the cumulative GPA shown in your Banner Web for Students Account. Please contact the Gordon College Financial Aid Office with inquires regarding your HOPE GPA.
HOPE Scholarship eligibility ends once the student graduates with a bachelor's degree or at the end of the semester in which the 127th hour is attempted, regardless of whether or not the student ever applied for or received the Scholarship. An exception to the 127 attempted hour limit is made for students enrolled in specific five year undergraduate degree programs comprised of more than 127 hours. In such instances, if the student has a 3.00 HOPE GPA after attempting 127 hours, eligibility will end with the semester in which the student has cumulatively attempted the number of hours required for graduation in the student's major field of study or 150 attempted hours, whichever is less. There are no exceptions for extra hours for dual degree programs, second majors or change of major.
HOPE Attempted Credit Hours Defined
As previously noted, HOPE credit hours are not necessarily the same as the credit hours reflected on your Banner Web for Students Account. Credit hours attempted or earned while in high school, including advanced placement credit hours, and hours exempted by examination do not count toward HOPE hours attempted or in calculating the HOPE GPA. All credit hours attempted at the college level are counted for HOPE purposes, including those assigned "W" or "WF" grades, those attempted at other institutions (including Out of State institutions) whether or not the credit hours transfer to Gordon College and Developmental Study hours, including English as a Second Language (if the student has been fully admitted as an undergraduate student).
HOPE Paid Hours Defined
In addition to the Attempted-Hour limit, there is the HOPE Paid Hour limit. All hours for which students received payment from Accel (Accel pays for college classes taken while enrolled in high school), HOPE Grant (Summer 2003 forward), and the HOPE Scholarship program are included in calculating the total Combined Paid hours. Students are eligible for combined payment for a maximum of 127 semester hours, unless they are enrolled in specific programs of study designed to require more than 127 semester hours for graduation. In that case, students are eligible for a maximum of 150 semester hours OR the number of hours required for graduation, whichever is less. Once a student reaches either the Attempted-Hours limit or the Combined Paid-Hours limit, he or she is no longer eligible for the HOPE Scholarship.
HOPE Reinstatement
When a student receiving the HOPE Scholarship as a freshmen loses eligibility for failing to have a 3.00 HOPE GPA at the annual Spring term checkpoint, that student has three remaining opportunities for reinstatement. These opportunities occur after the 30th, 60th and 90th credit hours attempted. If the student's HOPE GPA has improved to 3.00 after the 30th, 60th or 90th hour attempted, the scholarship may be reinstated. Students who are not eligible for HOPE after attempting 90 credit hours are permanently ineligible for the HOPE Scholarship. Please note HOPE can only be regained at the end of the Spring term checkpoint if the Spring term is also the student's 30, 60 or 90 hour benchmark.
Georgia Residency For HOPE Purposes
- A First-Tier student attending a University System of Georgia institution or Technical College System of Georgia institution meets the Georgia Residency requirements for purposes of HOPE Scholarship eligibility if he or she met the requirements to be classified as a Georgia Resident at the time of high school graduation or completion of a Home Study program, according to the USG or TCSG in-state tuition policy, and for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the school term for which the HOPE Scholarship is sought. A First-Tier student attending a University System of Georgia institution or Technical College System of Georgia institution meets the Georgia Residency requirements for purposes of HOPE Scholarship eligibility if he or she did not meet the requirements to be classified as a Georgia Resident at the time of high school graduation or completion of a Home Study program, according to the USG or TCSG in-state tuition policy, but does meet such requirements for 24 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the school term for which the HOPE Scholarship is sought. If the USG or TCSG institution, according to the USG or TCSG policy, grants a Military Personnel out-of-state tuition waiver for a First-Tier student and such student graduated from an Eligible High School in Georgia as a HOPE Scholar, then the student meets the Georgia Residency requirements of the HOPE Scholarship as a First-Tier student. No out-ofstate tuition waiver, other than for Military Personnel and their dependents, qualify students for HOPE Scholarship eligibility.
- A student attending a USG or TCSG institution who is entering the HOPE Scholarship Program as a Second-Tier, Third-Tier, or Fourth-Tier student meets the Georgia Residency requirements for purposes of HOPE Scholarship eligibility if he or she meets the requirements to be classified as a Georgia Resident at the time of high school graduation or completion of a Home Study program, according to the USG or TCSG in-state tuition policy and for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the school term for which the HOPE Scholarship is sought. A student attending a University System of Georgia institution or Technical College System of Georgia institution who is entering the HOPE Scholarship Program as a Second-Tier, Third-Tier, or Fourth-Tier student meets the Georgia 2008-2009 HOPE Scholarship Program at Public Institutions Page 21 of 53 Residency requirements for purposes of HOPE Scholarship eligibility if he or she did not meet the requirements to be classified as a Georgia Resident at the time of high school graduation or completion of a Home Study program, according to the USG or TCSG in-state tuition policy, but does meet such requirements for 24 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the school term for which the HOPE Scholarship is sought. A student who receives an out-of-state tuition waiver, including a Military Personnel out-of-state tuition waiver, is not considered to be a Georgia Resident, according to the USG and TCSG in-state tuition policy, and therefore is ineligible to enter the HOPE Scholarship at the Second-Tier, Third-Tier, or Fourth-Tier.
- A student, who was correctly determined to meet the Georgia Residency requirements for purposes of HOPE Scholarship eligibility and began receiving HOPE Scholarship payment, will continue to meet the Georgia Residency requirements for purposes of HOPE Scholarship eligibility, unless he or she has a break in Enrollment of two or more consecutive semesters or quarters and resides outside of Georgia for 12 or more consecutive months. If such student later returns to Georgia, he or she must re-establish Georgia Residency for 12 consecutive months, (in accordance with Section 104.a. or b.), before regaining HOPE Scholarship eligibility. A student who has a break in Enrollment of two or more consecutive semesters or quarters, and who resides outside Georgia for less than 12 consecutive months, and then later returns to Georgia and Enrolls in an Eligible Postsecondary Institution within 12 consecutive months from his or her most recent date of Enrollment in an Eligible Postsecondary Institution, will continue to meet the Georgia Residency requirements for purposes of HOPE Scholarship eligibility.
- Full-time employees of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), who are recognized by the United States Department of State as based in Georgia, their spouses, and their dependent children are considered to meet the Georgia Residency requirements for participation in the HOPE Scholarship Program, regardless of the length of time they have resided in Georgia.
U.S. Citizenship and the HOPE Scholarship
To be eligible to enter HOPE as a freshman (1st tier), sophomore (2nd tier), junior (3rd tier) or senior (4th tier), a student must be a U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident Alien who meets the definition of an eligible non-citizen under federal Title IV requirements for 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the first day of classes of the school term for which the HOPE Scholarship is sought. Full-time employees of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), their spouses and dependent children are not exempt from this citizenship requirements.
HOPE Enrollment Status
HOPE eligibility is not conditional upon full-time enrollment. There is no minimum number of enrollment hours required in order for this scholarship to be disbursed.
Transfer Students
A student transferring to Gordon College from another institution, and who was not named as a HOPE Scholar upon graduation from high school, will not be considered for the HOPE Scholarship until he or she has attempted the equivalent of 30 semester hours following high school graduation. Also, the student must meet the Georgia residency and U.S. citizenship requirements set forth above and must have a HOPE 3.00 GPA at the end of the semester in which the appropriate checkpoint is reached.
*Important Note*
Transfer students must submit a copy of all transcripts pertaining to previously attempted post-secondary work, whether or not transfer credit was given by Gordon College
Transient Students
A Gordon College HOPE student who wishes to enroll as a transient student at another HOPE eligible institution may receive HOPE funds at the transient institution. The student must complete a transient permission form with the Gordon College Registrar and the Gordon College HOPE Transient Request Form on the .