The Zell Miller Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship program with specific academic and grade point average eligibility requirements. The purpose of the Zell Miller Scholarship Program is to encourage the academic achievement of Georgia’s high school students seeking degrees from postsecondary institutions located in Georgia.
ELIGIBILITY
To receive HOPE Scholarship funding, students graduating from Roswell High School must:
1. Satisfy academic eligibility requirements:
“Academic Eligibility” means the student entered an Eligible Postsecondary Institution in 2007 or later with a high school Grade Point Average of 3.70 or higher as calculated by GSFC, and received a minimum score of 1200 combined critical reading and math on a single administration of the SAT on a test administration at the time of high school graduation; or received a composite scale score of 26 on a single administration of the ACT on a test administration at the time of high school graduation; or having graduated high school being named the Valedictorian or the Salutatorian.
Academic Rigor Requirements
- Beginning with the High School Graduating Class of 2015, high school coursework must include a minimum of two courses from the Academic Rigor Coursework list below.
- Beginning with the High School Graduating Class of 2016, high school coursework must include a minimum of three courses from the Academic Rigor Coursework list below.
- Beginning with the High School Graduating Class of 2017, high school coursework must include a minimum of four courses from the Academic Rigor Coursework list below.
Academic Rigor Coursework: Advanced math, such as Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, Math III, or an equivalent or higher course; Advanced science, such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology II, or an equivalent or higher course; Advanced Placement courses in core subjects; International Baccalaureate courses in core subjects; Courses taken at a unit of the University System of Georgia in core subjects where such courses are not remedial and developmental courses; Advanced Foreign Language courses.
2. Be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at an eligible public or private college or university or technical college in Georgia.
3. Meet HOPE’s Georgia residency requirements.
4. Meet HOPE’s U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements.
5. Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements.
6. Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990.
7. Not be in default or owe a refund on a student financial aid program.
8. Maintain satisfactory academic progress as defined by the college.
AWARD AMOUNTS
The money provided to HOPE Scholars varies and depends on the type of institution you are attending and your specific enrollment.
- An eligible student seeking a Degree from a University System of Georgia or Technical College System of Georgia institution may receive Zell Miller Scholarship funds covering the Standard Undergraduate Tuition amount.
- An eligible student seeking a Degree from an Eligible Private Institution may receive Zell Miller Scholarship funds of $2000 per semester or $1333 per quarter for Full-Time study or $1000 per semester or $666 per quarter for Half-Time study.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
In order to be considered for a Zell Miller Scholarship, a student must complete one of the following application forms:
- A GSFAPPS electronic application;
- A paper HOPE Scholarship and Grant Application, (printable from the GAcollege411 website), or
- A current year FAFSA (available after January 1st of the senior year)
- A student who applies for Zell Miller Scholarship by completing and submitting a FAFSA must complete and submit a new FAFSA for each Award Year.
In addition to one of these three applications, an Eligible Postsecondary Institution may require students to complete the institution’s application for student financial aid or other forms to provide supplemental information for the purpose of determining Zell Miller Scholarship eligibility.
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
If you need help filling out an application or have other questions relating to the Zell Miller Scholarship, we suggest contacting the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend or contacting the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC).
You can contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) by:
E-mail: gacollege411@gsfc.org
Telephone:
Toll-Free at: 1-800-505-GSFC (4732)
In Metro Atlanta: (770) 724-9000
RELATED LINKS
HOW IS THE HOPE GPA CALCULATED?
- ALL English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language grades earned in high school are counted – middle school grades are not included in calculating the HOPE GPA.
- The extra Fulton County “7” points are removed from all honors, AP, and college course grades
- Numeric grades are converted to the 4.0 scale (A=4.0 points, B=3.0 points, C=2.0 points, and F=0 points)
- After additional points are removed and grade is converted, an AP grade receives an additional .5 point
Example:
AP Biology = 92
92–7 extra points= 85
85 = 3.0
3.0+.5 = 3.5
