HOPE and Zell Miller

What’s the Difference?

/ HOPE / Zell Miller
High School Eligibility Requirements / A high school GPA of 3.0 in academic core subjects as calculated by GSFC / A high school GPA of 3.7 in academic core subjects as calculated by GSFC AND an SAT score in a single sitting of 1200 (CR+MA) or ACT Composite of 26.
College Eligibility Requirements / Maintain a 3.0 HOPE GPA / Maintain a 3.3 HOPE GPA
Check-points
(Losing and Regaining Awards) / Eligibility is checked at the end of each Spring semester, and when 30, 60, and 90 credit hours have been attempted.
Once lost, eligibility can be regained just once, and only at the 30, 60, 90 attempted hour check-points. / Eligibility is checked at the end of each Spring semester, and when 30, 60, and 90 credit hours have been attempted.
Once lost, eligibility can be regained just once, and only at the 30, 60, 90 attempted hour checkpoints.
Time and Credit Hour Limits / HOPE can be received either
·  until the student has attempted 127 hours
OR
·  until 127 hours have been paid through the combination of HOPE/Zell Miller/ HOPE Grant
HOPE eligibility may end seven (7) years from the date of high school graduation / Zell Miller can be received either
·  until the student has attempted 127 hours
OR
·  until 127 hours have been paid through the combination of HOPE/Zell Miller/
HOPE Grant
Zell Miller eligibility may end seven (7) years from the date of high school graduation.
Award Amounts / Awards are based on anticipated enrollment in at least 15 credit hours each semester.
For public institutions—For FY2012, HOPE Scholars will receive a percentage amount of the standard tuition charges from the previous year. Every year these amounts will change based upon lottery revenues, HOPE enrollment numbers, and the previous year’s award rate;
For Georgia private colleges-- For FY 2012, HOPE Scholars will receive $3,600/year for 15 hours;
For students who are approaching the credit hour limit described above, awards are reduced based on remaining eligibility.
Beginning Fall 2011, no awards for fees or books through this program. / Awards are based on anticipated enrollment in at least 15 hours each semester.
For public institutions—For FY2012, Zell Miller Scholars will have their tuition fully paid, without regard for specific program of study;
For Georgia private colleges—For FY2012, Zell Miller Scholars will receive $4,000/yr for 15 hours;
For students who are approaching the credit hour limit described above, awards are reduced based on remaining eligibility.
Beginning Fall 2011, no awards for fees or books through this program.
Click here to view a chart for HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship Award Amounts for FY 2012.
Beginning with the Class of 2015 (students entering high school in 2011-2012), a new rigor requirement has been added. Students graduating in 2015 must pass at least 2 courses from a list of academically rigorous courses to meet requirements to be a HOPE Scholar upon high school graduation (i.e., courses in advanced math, advanced science, advanced foreign language, AP or IB courses in core subjects, and/or dual enrollment courses taken at a unit of the University System of Georgia in core subjects, not remedial or developmental). GSFC will at a future date provide a list of classes to further define each category.

.