Complete Guide to the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships

Georgia residents have an opportunity to earn merit-based college funding through the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship Programs. Created in 1993, these programs were designed to assist with tuition costs at eligible post-secondary schools across the state. The amount a student receives depends on the institution in question.

To qualify for both of these prestigious awards, students need to show a certain level of academic achievement. Currently, HOPE recipients receive $5,000 for their first year of school and $2,500 for their second year. Zell Miller awards generally cover the standard undergraduate tuition cost, but may vary based on the school type and specific enrollment hours.

Who is Eligible for the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships?

To be eligible for these programs, students must meet certain requirements. If you want to apply for the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship, you must be:

• A U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
• A legal resident of Georgia who meets enrollment requirements
• Compliant with the Selective Service registration requirements and Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990
• In good standing with financial aid organizations and within the award limits of the HOPE program

The requirements for the HOPE Scholarship differ from those of the Zell Miller fund. For the HOPE scholarship, students need to earn a degree from a HOPE-eligible high school or receive a degree through petition of the school board with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. If you graduated from an ineligible school, you can still qualify for the scholarship, provided that you complete a home study program in Georgia or take the GED and score in the 75th percentile on standardized testing. Other options for graduates from ineligible schools include earning a 3.0 postsecondary grade point average after attempting 30 semester hours.

Additionally, eligible students must complete a certain number of academically rigorous courses during high school and be enrolled at a HOPE-eligible college or university. For students graduating after 2017, you will need four academic credits from the classes in the link.

The Zell Miller Scholarship requires students to meet all of the above HOPE Scholarship requirements. However, recipients must also meet one of the following additional conditions: 

• Graduate as a valedictorian or salutatorian from an eligible high school
• Graduate high school or receive a diploma with a minimum GPA of 3.7 and a combined SAT score of 1200
• Complete a home study program and score in the 93rd percentile of higher on the SAT
• Graduate from an ineligible school with a minimum SAT score of 1200 and complete 30 semester hours of college degree-level classes

Note that HOPE Scholarship recipients must maintain a 3.0 grade point average to keep receiving the award. Zell Miller Scholarship recipients need to maintain a 3.3 GPA.

How to Apply for the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships 

Below is information on how to apply for the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships. Note that the deadline for both awards is the last day of the school term, or the student’s individual withdrawal date, whichever occurs sooner. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible; the earlier students apply for the HOPE awards, the faster funds will be disbursed to your school.

If you want to apply for the HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship, you will need to complete the following steps:

• Fill out and submit the FAFSA or Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPPS) each year 
• Meet your college’s specific application requirements on time.

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