HOPE Scholarship
Georgia residents seeking an associate degree may be eligible for a Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Scholarship.
A student who does not meet the Georgia residency requirements of the Technical College System of Georgia at the time of high school graduation, home study program, or successful GED test must establish residency for at least 24 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes for which HOPE Scholarship is sought. Otherwise, a student must have been a GA resident for 12 consecutive months immediately prior to the first day of classes for which HOPE Scholarship is sought if he or she graduated from a GA high school, home study program, or GED program.
The HOPE Scholarship Program has established certain eligibility checkpoints. At these checkpoints a student must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA to renew HOPE Scholarship. The first checkpoint occurs after the student has attempted 30 semester hours and at the end of every spring term for full-time students; or at the end of the first three enrolled terms if enrolled as a less than full-time student. The second eligibility checkpoint occurs after the student has attempted 60 semester hours, and at the end of each spring term. The third eligibility checkpoint occurs after the student has attempted 90 semester hours, and at the end of each spring term. The student can only regain HOPE Scholarship one time before becoming permanently ineligible for the HOPE Scholarship.
Other students may qualify if:
i. They achieve a 3.0 cumulative grade point average at the end of the 30th, 60th, or 90th semester hour attempted toward a degree program. The grade average is based on all college-level credit hours attempted after high school graduation. All college-level courses taken after high school graduation are included even if previous coursework is not accepted on transfer into your program of study at Chattahoochee Technical College.
ii. College degree credit hours taken prior to high school graduation must be counted as attempted hours, if:
- Student is not a HOPE Scholar from high school; and
- Hours are accepted toward an associate degree program by Chattahoochee Technical College; and
- Coursework was taken during a school term that began on or after July 1, 2008.
All students receiving the HOPE Scholarship will be reevaluated for eligibility at the 30th, 60th, and 90th semester credit hour attempted and at the end of each spring term, regardless of spring term enrollment. Additionally, students who are enrolled for less than 12 credit hours their first three terms will be reevaluated at the end of their third term. HOPE Scholarship will pay up to 127 attempted semester credit hours or 127 combined HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, Zell Miller Grant and Accel paid hours. *(Contact Financial Aid Office for further details.)
CTC students must complete the HOPE Scholarship Evaluation Form (available online or from the Financial Aid Office) to be evaluated for the HOPE Scholarship. In addition, students must complete the applicable FAFSA or the electronic GSFAPPS application. It is strongly encouraged, however, that all students complete the annual FAFSA application to ensure that he or she is receiving all funding for which he or she may be eligible.
The HOPE Scholarship covers a portion of the tuition at Georgia's technical colleges. That percentage is determined by the Georgia Student Finance Commission, annually, and based on projected lottery revenues and expenditures. The HOPE award amount is subject to change each year (beginning in fall). Books, supplies, and other costs remain the student's responsibility. A student cannot receive HOPE Scholarship for learning support or remedial coursework (CTC course numbers 0090).
Please contact the Financial Aid Office or visit the Chattahoochee Technical College website for details.