Georgia State Scholarships & Grants
Beginning Fall 2025, South College is proud to offer the following Georgia scholarships and grants to eligible students.
Scholarships
HOPE Scholarship
The HOPE Scholarship helps eligible Georgia residents pay a portion of tuition at eligible colleges or universities.
- Must meet Georgia residency requirement
- Meet academic achievement and program eligibility requirements
- Graduated as a Zell Miller Scholar from high school
- Eligible for up to 190 attempted or paid quarter hours or 10 years from high school graduation (7 years if awarded before Spring 2019)
- Maintain a HOPE Calculated GPA of 3.0 or higher at checkpoints: 45, 90, and 135 Attempted Quarter Hours and the End of each Spring Quarter
- Can regain eligibility only once
Zell Miller Scholarship
The Zell Miller Scholarship covers more tuition for Georgia residents with higher academic performance.
- Must meet Georgia residency requirement
- Meet academic achievement and program eligibility requirements
- Eligible for up to 127 attempted or paid hours or 10 years from high school graduation (7 years if awarded before Spring 2019)
- Maintain a HOPE Calculated GPA of 3.3 or higher at each checkpoint: 45, 90, and 135 attempted Quarter hours
- Can regain eligibility only once
HOPE vs. Zell Miller Scholarship – Quick Comparison
| Criteria | HOPE Scholarship | Zell Miller Scholarship |
| Residency | Georgia resident | Georgia resident |
| High School Academic Requirements | Minimum calculated HOPE GPA 3.0 4 rigor credits May gain eligibility after 45 quarter hours | Minimum calculated HOPE GPA 3.7 4 rigor credits SAT 1200 or ACT equivalent Cannot gain eligibility after high school |
| GPA Requirement | 3.0 | 3.3 |
| Max Hours | 190 attempted or paid quarter hours | 190 attempted or paid quarter hours |
| Length of Eligibility | 10 years from HS graduation (7 years if awarded before Spring 2019) | 10 years from HS graduation (7 years if awarded before Spring 2019) |
| Regain Eligibility (only once) | Yes – at 90 or 135 hours | Yes – at 90 or 135 hours |
Grants
Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant (GTEG)
Encourages Georgia residents to attend eligible private colleges by helping with tuition costs.
- Non-need-based funding
- Full-time undergraduate at eligible private college
- Max: 127 semester / 190 quarter hours
*Students can receive HOPE or Zell Miller Scholarship along with the GTEG, if attending an eligible private college.
How to Apply
Students can apply for HOPE, Zell Miller Scholarship, and GTEG by either:
- Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – must be renewed annually
- Completing the Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPP)
Deadline: Last day of the school term or withdrawal date, whichever comes first. Apply early for faster processing.
Track HOPE/Zell Scholarship status on My High School HOPE GPA. Home study and out-of-state graduates must request academic eligibility evaluation through GAfutures.
Track HOPE/Zell Scholarship status while in college on My College HOPE Profile.