State Aid

GA Residency Requirements

Dependent students & parent(s) of dependent students must meet one of the following criteria:

Parent must be a Georgia resident for at least 12 months prior to the first day of the semester AND the student graduated from a Georgia high school,
If a military parent is stationed in Georgia or Georgia is their home of record (We will need a copy of the parent’s military orders or pay statement that shows Georgia taxes) AND the student graduated from a Georgia high school, OR
Parent must be a resident for at least 24 months prior to the first day of the term if the student does NOT meet residency requirements at the time of high school graduation.

Independent students must meet one of the following criteria:

Student must be a Georgia resident for at least 12 months prior to the first day of the semester IF the student graduated from a Georgia high school,
Military personnel stationed in Georgia or Georgia is their home of record- service member or spouse are considered a resident (We will need a copy of your military orders or pay statement that shows Georgia taxes), OR
Student must be a Georgia resident for at least 24 months prior to the first day of the semester IF the student does not meet the residency requirements at the time of high school graduation.

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) or the Georgia State Financial Aid Application (GSFAPP) to apply for state programs.

Dependency is determined based on federal guidelines.

State Scholarships and Grants

The Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant is a grant from the State of Georgia for undergraduate Georgia residents attending private colleges in Georgia. Students may only receive this grant for a total of 127 semester hours.

GTEG is not based on need and will reduce other full tuition awards you may receive.

Eligibility Requirements: Students must be enrolled full-time for the entirety of the semester, have a valid FAFSA or GSFApp, and meet Georgia Residency requirements.

Award Amounts: $500 per semester

HOPE Scholarship is a merit-based award available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. A HOPE Scholarship recipient must graduate from high school with a minimum 3.0 grade point average (as calculated by GSFC) and maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average to remain eligible.

A student who is not determined to be eligible from high school, will be evaluated for HOPE eligibility after they have reached 30 attempted hours.

A ten-year limit exists for students first receiving the HOPE Scholarship during summer term 2019 (FY20) or later. A seven-year limit exists for students first receiving the HOPE Scholarship during the 2011-2012 academic year (FY12) or later. A student is ineligible to receive HOPE Scholarship funds once the student has reached the 127 semester or 190 quarter hour limit.

Hope is not based on need and will reduce other full tuition awards you may receive.

Eligibility Requirements: Students must be enrolled at least half-time for the entirety of the semester, have a valid FAFSA or GSFApp, meet Georgia residency requirements, and maintain a 3.0 Hope GPA. The student’s GPA will be checked at the end of every spring semester, as well as at the end of any semester the student reaches 30/60/90 attempted hours.

Award Amounts: A student enrolled full-time will receive $2,496 per semester, and a student enrolled half-time will receive $1,248 per semester.

Zell Miller Scholarship is a merit-based award available to Georgia residents, similar to the HOPE Scholarship, but with more stringent academic requirements. A Zell Miller Scholarship recipient must graduate from high school with a minimum 3.70 grade point average (as calculated by GSFC), combined with a minimum SAT score of 1200 on the math and reading portions or a minimum composite ACT score of 26 in a single national test administration, and maintain a minimum 3.30 grade point average to remain eligible.

If a student is not determined to be a Zell Miller Scholarship recipient at the time they graduate high school, they cannot later “earn” Zell Miller.

A ten-year limit exists for students first receiving the Zell Miller Scholarship during summer term 2019 (FY20) or later. A seven-year limit exists for students first receiving the Zell Miller Scholarship during the 2011-2012 academic year (FY12) or later. A student is ineligible to receive Zell Miller Scholarship funds once the student has reached the 127 semester or 190 quarter hour limit.

Zell Miller is not based on need and will reduce other full tuition awards you may receive.

Eligibility Requirements: Students must be enrolled at least half-time for the entirety of the semester, have a valid FAFSA or GSFApp, meet Georgia residency requirements, have been determined to be eligible for Zell at the time of high school graduation, and maintain a 3.3 Hope GPA. The student’s GPA will be checked at the end of every spring semester, as well as at the end of any semester the student reaches 30/60/90 attempted hours.

Award Amounts: A student enrolled full-time will receive $2,985 per semester, and a student enrolled half-time will receive $1,493 per semester.

REACH is a need-based mentoring and scholarship program providing promising students the support to graduate from high school and achieve postsecondary success. REACH scholars are identified in their 7^th grade year.

Eligibility Requirements: Students must be enrolled full-time, have a valid FAFSA, meet Georgia residency requirements, have been determined to be a REACH scholar at the time of high school graduation, and maintain a 2.0 Hope GPA.

Award Amounts: $1,250 per semester for up to 8 semesters

HERO provides financial aid assistance to qualifying Georgia National Guard or United States Military Reservists, their spouses, and dependent children who seek a postsecondary education. Eligible applicants were deployed overseas on active duty service, on or after February 1, 2003, to a location designated as a combat zone.

An application must be completed each year to receive this scholarship.

Eligibility Requirements: Students must meet Georgia residency requirements and submit an application each year they seek funding.

Award Amounts: $1,000 per semester if enrolled full-time. Award amounts are prorated for semesters in which students are enrolled less than full-time.

Public Safety Memorial Grant provides assistance to the dependent children of Georgia public safety officers (law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, highway emergency response operators, and prison guards) who were permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty.

An application must be submitted for each year funding is sought.

Eligibility Requirements: Students must be enrolled full-time, meet Georgia residency requirements, and submit an application each year they seek funding.

Award Amounts: This scholarship provides up to $18,000 per year for eligible students.

Georgia College Completion Grant assists eligible students experiencing a financial aid gap. Students must have an outstanding balance and have completed at least 80% of their degree. If you have been identified as a student meeting the requirements for this fund, you will be sent an institutional application.

Eligibility Requirements: Students must have a valid FAFSA, completed at least 80% of their degree, and meet Georgia residency requirements.

Award Amounts: Up to $2,500 lifetime award.

State Loans and Service Cancelable Loans

The Scholarship for Engineering Education (SEE) Program provides financial assistance to Georgia residents enrolled in the BSE program. In return for the scholarship loan, students agree to work after graduation in an engineering-related field in Georgia for a reduction in balance for each year worked. If a student fails to complete service repayment, the student is required to repay in cash installments.

Eligibility Requirements: Students must be enrolled full-time in the BSE program, have a 2.5 HOPE GPA, meet Georgia residency requirements, and submit an application each year they seek funding.

Award Amounts: $3,500 per school year

Georgia National Guard (GNG) Service Cancelable Loan Program provides financial assistance to eligible members of the Georgia National Guard to be used towards the cost of tuition for undergraduate and graduate programs at an eligible postsecondary institution. The student must agree to serve in the Georgia National Guard for a period of two years to complete service repayment. The purpose of the program is to encourage qualified individuals to join the GNG and retain skilled citizens within the state.

Eligibility Requirements: Students must be enrolled at least half-time, an active member in good standing with the Georgia National Guard, meet Georgia residency requirements, and submit an application each year they seek funding.

Award Amounts: $2,174 per semester if the student is enrolled full-time and $1,087 if the student is enrolled half-time.

The Student Access Loan is a 1% interest need-based loan program designed to assist undergraduate students who have a gap in meeting their educational costs. Students must accept all federal loans for which they are eligible. The amount of SAL a student is eligible for is equal to their cost of attendance-EFC- all other financial aid. While in school, students have to make monthly $10 Keep in Touch (KIT) payments. There are service cancellation options available to those who work in select public service sectors or STEM fields.

Eligibility Requirements: Students must be enrolled at least half-time, have a valid FAFSA, have financial need, meet Georgia residency requirements, and complete the SAL application each year.

Award Amounts: A maximum annual limit of $8,000 and a semester limit of $4,000.