Georgia Student Grants for College
Fund Your Education with Free Grant Money
You are planning ahead and thinking about your future, but today's struggling economy has you worried. How will you (or you and your parents) be able to afford the rising cost of tuition at the college or university of your choice? Try not to stress too much.
With a little bit of research, you will find that there is money available for those seeking higher education. With over 100 educational institutions ranging from 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities to private specialized schools and technical programs, Georgia offers degrees and certifications in many fields of interest.
To aid in your quest, we have provided below some information about a sampling of the grants and other financial aid options available in the state of Georgia.
General Grants
HOPE Grant
This grant is awarded on a financial needs basis regardless of high school graduation date or grade point average to those planning to enter a Georgia public or technical college. Students wishing to apply should fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the HOPE Scholarship and Grant application yearly. Alternatively, they may also fill out the E-HOPE application online ( www.gsfc.org/ehope ).
The HOPE Grant provides funding for full tuition, most approved mandatory fees, and $100 per semester towards books and class materials. There is no minimum grade level necessary to apply for renewal of the grant. However the student's records must show academic growth. The HOPE Grant is also ideal for those who home schooled as no transcripts or formal records are required to apply.
If the home-schooled student uses the HOPE grant to complete 30 credit hours of college level courses at a B average grade level before high school graduation, then he or she will be eligible to apply for renewal the following year. It would also provide the student with college level transcripts to be submitted to a 2-year or 4-year college during the application process.
HOPE GED Grant
The purpose of this grant is to encourage education beyond the high school level. Georgia residents who have obtained their GED (General Education Development) high school equivalency diploma are eligible to apply. The grant offers a one time fund of $500 to be applied towards a certificate or diploma from a technical college, public university, or eligible private university in the state of Georgia.
While there is no require grade level to apply, students receiving funding must display acceptable levels of positive academic growth.
ACCEL Program
The ACCEL Program is for students enrolled in accredited public of private high schools in the state of Georgia who wish to receive dual credit for college level courses during their Junior or Senior years. Courses must be on the approved course list which should be obtained from the high school's counselor.
These are courses that will also fall within the guidelines of courses necessary for the core high school curriculum such as Mathematics, English, Science, Foreign Language, and Social Studies. This grant provides funding for tuition, mandatory fees and a book allowance for classes taken at a public university.
It will pay $125 per semester hour to a private university, with other expenses being the student's responsibility. The ACCEL Program works in conjunction with the HOPE grant and counts towards the limit of credit hours paid for by the HOPE Program.
Tuition Equalization Grant Program
Students wishing to attend a private 4-year college or university in Georgia should consider applying for this grant. It is a NON-need based grant meant to encourage enrollment in private universities. It will also provide funding to students living near the state border and wishing to attend out-of-state colleges or universities within a 50 mile radius of their home if there is no 4-year university within that radius in the state of Georgia.
Eligible students include those who are legal residents of Georgia, are in compliance with the Selective Service registration requirements, are not in default on student-loan programs, are in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Post Secondary Education Act of 1990, and who display continued academic progress.
College Opportunity Grant
The College Opportunity Grant (COG) is a needs based grant fully funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education. It provides funds for those students enrolled in a Georgia University or Technical college. There is no specific grade point average required in order to be eligible, however students are encouraged to assist others by completing a community service requirement.
The community service must be performed for a non-profit organization, and the hours must be completed for each term in which the COG is awarded. If the student has received a Baccalaureate Degree from any previous institution, he or she is ineligible for payment by this grant.
Georgia Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP)
The Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership program was created by the federal government to encourage individual states to offer more needs based funding to students. Participating states must match each federal grant dollar awarded by the United States Department of Education, dollar per dollar. In order to be eligible for this grant, students must meet all requirements necessary to receive Federal Pell Grant funding.
Depending on the student's level of financial need, the LEAP grant may provide up to $2000 per award year to any student seeking a technical degree or diploma from eligible Georgia colleges and universities. Those seeking to obtain an Undergraduate Degree from either a public or private Georgia university may also be eligible.
Georgia PTA Student Scholarship
The Georgia PTA Student Scholarship Grant is a one year grant funded solely through local chapters of the Georgia Parent Teacher Association with assistance from local counsel contributions. As a result, the amount of funding available for scholarships varies from year to year. Typically, grants have ranged from $1000 - $1500 per student. This is one-year non renewable grant awarded to students who meet the eligibility criteria.
In order to be eligible, the student must be a graduating Senior from a high school with a PTA/PTSA branch in good standing (appropriate information on file, dues paid, etc.). He or she must have a satisfactory academic record and display good character.
The student must be planning to enroll in a Georgia college or university for the upcoming school year and exhibit and interest in course study that would prepare him or her to work in a youth related field. There must also be a need for financial assistance.
Georgia Public Safety Memorial Grant
The Georgia Public Safety Memorial Grant is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and provides financial aid to the children of Georgia Public Safety Officers who were either killed in the line of duty or permanently disabled.
The student must be enrolled in a technical college, public university or eligible private university within the state of Georgia in order to receive this grant. The amount of funding available is determined each year by the Georgia General Assembly during legislation and varies year to year.
Grants & Funding for Specialized Degrees
Destination Teacher Program
This is a fairly new program designed to encourage professionals in the job force who are looking to change career paths to consider teaching. Not every institution participates. However students enrolled in participating universities who agree to teach in an under served public school upon graduation may receive up to $5000 towards the cost of tuition.North GA College & State University ROTC Grant
This grant was established by the Georgia General Assembly to encourage students to consider a professional career in the military. Eligible students include participants of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps, seeking undergraduate degrees from North Georgia College and State Universities only. This grant is state funded and the total amount of funding available is subject to change on a yearly basis.North GA College & State University ROTC Grant for Future Officers
Established in 2008 by the Georgia General Assembly, the North GA College & State University ROTC Grant is available to ROTC members seeking undergraduate eduction from North Georgia College and State Universities only. In order to receive this funding, eligible students must have also signed a contract agreement to accept a commission as an officer in the Army National Guard or any branch of the United States Military.Scholarship for Engineering Education (SEE) Service Cancel-able Loan
The Scholarship for Engineering Education is designed for Georgia residents interested in pursuing a career in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering. Eligibility requires admission to the School of Engineering and renewal is contingent upon the student's maintaining at least a 2.5 overall grade point average.
Funding for the grant provides for $1,750 per semester for full-time students enrolled in one of the above programs with a total maximum education funding of $17,500. If the Engineering Graduate works in the Engineering field within the state of Georgia for at least one year per $3,500 funding received, the funding received remains as a grant and does not need to be repaid. Otherwise, upon graduation the scholarship is converted to a student loan with a cash repayment interest rate of 1% above the prime rate, not to exceed 10%.
