The Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Scholarship is the state of Georgia's scholarship initiative that funds Georgia students attending eligible state colleges or universities. Funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education, the HOPE Scholarship is available for eligible online students attending approved state schools.
History
Former Georgia Governor Zell Miller initiated the HOPE Scholarship during his administration in 1993. The program, which originally funded undergraduate students who earned a B average or better at a Georgia high school, expanded to include funding for graduate and post-graduate students attending Georgia universities as well.
Eligibility
Students who graduated from a HOPE-eligible high school with a B average, are enrolled at an eligible public or private college or university in the state of Georgia, and meet HOPE's residency requirements are eligible for the HOPE Scholarship. This includes online students enrolled at an eligible Georgia college or university who reside in the state of Georgia.
Significance
The HOPE Scholarship allows eligible online students in the state of Georgia to receive state funding for their academic pursuits. Nontraditional and working students unable to attend campus-based programs are able to pursue distance learning degrees without accruing burdensome debts.
Types
The HOPE Scholarship is available for eligible online students pursuing a two-year degree from a Georgia community or technical college or a four-year degree from an eligible public or private university. Additionally, graduate and post-graduate online students can receive the HOPE Scholarship while studying at an approved state institution.
Considerations
Online students must register with Selective Service to be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship, and they cannot be in default on any state or federal financial aid program.
Award Amounts
Online students at public institutions receive funding for tuition, mandatory fees and a $100 to $150 allowance for books each term. Students at private institutions receive up to $1,750 each term.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Charlie Troubadour began his professional writing career in 2005; he recently completed a hybrid memoir, and has published his writing in numerous national print and online magazines, including Trails.com and eHow. He writes primarily on higher education issues, including online learning, student financial aid and university degree programs.