The Financial Aid Process and
HOPE updates
Do you need $$$$$ for college?
• There are lots of options!
• Two primary types of aid: Merit-based and
Need-based
• The HOPE program is an example of a Meritbased program. You earn scholarship dollars
because of your grades.
3 Types of HOPE Programs
• The HOPE Scholarship program that you
are most familiar with is the one that
requires a 3.0 academic GPA
• This program is for students who plan to
attend college to earn a DEGREE.
• The 3.0 includes grades in core classes
only: English, Math, Social Studies ,
Science, and Foreign Language
HOPE FUNDS
• Academic Requirement of a
3.0 or higher in academic
core classes
• HOPE will only calculate
GPA for English, Math,
Social Studies, Science and
Foreign language (including
electives in those subjects)
• All other classes (for
example PE, fine arts, and
career tech classes) will not
be included in the HOPE
GPA
• Must be a US Citizen
• Must be a Georgia resident
• Enroll in a HOPE eligible
school in Georgia (see
gacollege411.org for list of
schools)
•
Your “HOPE GPA” is different from the
GPA on your transcript
To convert your GPA the number grade for each HOPE class is changed to a
letter grade and then given points: (You cannot just convert your cumulative
GPA – it must be done for each class then averaged) Do not include classes not
counted by HOPE.
90-110 = A = 4 points
80-89 = B = 3 points
71-79 = C = 2 points
70
= D = 1 point
Below 70=F = 0 points
 The GPA does not include any weighting except for AP classes. These are
given an extra .5 quality point. Therefore an 82 in an AP class is changed to
a B and given .5 and will be considered a 3.5.
You don’t have to calculate your HOPE GPA yourself:
The easiest and most accurate way to find your HOPE GPA is to
create an account on gacollege411.org where you can look up
your HOPE GPA under the financial aid section
See under “shortcuts” where you can find your
HOPE GPA on gacollege411.org
What does HOPE cover??
• The amount of $$$ that HOPE covers has changed. It
used to cover all tuition and some fees and books.
• Now it covers only a percentage of your tuition and
no books or fees. The amount that it covers varies by
college. There is a chart on www.gacollege411.org
that tells you how much it covers at each college in
Georgia. Currently it is about 90% of the tuition at
most public colleges in Georgia.
• This is still an amazing opportunity and worth
keeping your grades up!
HOPE will start adding “rigor” as one of the
requirements starting with students graduating high
school in 2015
Academic Rigor
• Class of 2015
Must pass at least 2 rigor classes
• Class of 2016
Must pass at least 3 rigor classes
• Class of 2017 and beyond
Must pass at least 4 rigor classes
Classes that fulfill these rigor classes are still
being defined but may include the following
Rigor Requirements:
 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
You must maintain a 3.0 average in college to continue to
receive HOPE. Your GPA will be checked at specific points.
If you are not eligible for HOPE based on your GPA in high
school, you may be able to receive “2nd Chance HOPE”
after 30 semester hours in college if you get good grades!
(Always check with the college financial aid office)
Other HOPE Programs
The newest HOPE Program is called the
ZELL Miller Scholarship
Requirement of Zell Miller:
3.7 academic core GPA
1200 reading and math SAT OR
26 ACT (in one sitting) OR
Be number 1 or 2 in your class.
(rigor requirement will also be added)
Zell Miller Scholarship
• What does the Zell Miller cover????
– This scholarship covers a greater percentage
of the tuition than the 3.0 HOPE.
– In most cases, it pays close to 100% of
tuition.
– To see what it pays for your college, go to
www.gacollege411.org Click on financial aid
and HOPE programs. There is a chart that
tells you how much it pays per college.
The HOPE Grant
• The HOPE Grant is the 3rd program run by HOPE.
It is designed for students who plan to earn a
certificate or diploma from a technical college,
like Chattahoochee Technical College.
• The HOPE Grant, unlike the HOPE Scholarship and
the Zell Miller, DOES NOT REQUIRE A GPA!!!!!
That makes a technical college a great place if
your grades are not a 3.0 – there are many
programs at technical colleges that prepare
students for jobs, or you could start at a technical
school and transfer to a 4-year school.
Applying for the HOPE
• The easiest way to apply for HOPE is to go to
www.gacollege411.org
• Click on the financial aid tab at the top of the
home page and then proceed to the HOPE
scholarship link. There you will find both an
electronic and a paper application form. The
HOPE application is called the GSFAPPS
• Cherokee County Schools will upload all
transcripts to gacollege411, so all you have to do
it to complete these forms.
• Students can apply any time in their senior year.
Merit-based money from colleges
Most colleges offer scholarships for outstanding
students.
Check your college web sites under financial aid to see what
scholarships they offer and apply for it!
Some colleges use your application for admission as your
application for scholarships, but many require a separate
application to the financial aid office.
FAFSA ( Free application for Federal
Student Aid)
Students and their parents should
complete the FAFSA - It is used as your
application for need-based aid. This forms
asks questions about your household and
your family income.
The FAFSA is available at
www.gacollege411.org
FAFSA
After completing the FAFSA you will receive a
statement (an SAR) with an Expected Family
Contribution (EFC). Colleges use this number to
put together a financial aid package for you. This
package will most likely be a combination of:
Grants (are not paid back)
Loans (do have to be repaid)
Work study programs
www.fafsa.ed.gov
• This is the direct website for the FAFSA.
(FAFSA.com is not the correct site)
Helpful Hints
• If you and your parents complete your tax
return early, it will make this much easier. If
you cannot complete the tax return early, you
can estimate the numbers based on last year’s
returns.
• The sooner you apply after
st
January 1 , the better your
chances of getting $$$$$$$$$.
Other resources for Scholarships
Use the internet to search for scholarships
www.fastweb.com is a one
of many good sites
Also:
• Check the CHS website or visit the counseling
office for the latest copy of the “Scholarship
Special” which will list all scholarship
information that has been sent to CHS
• Fill out a “Local Scholarship Form” that can be
picked up in the counseling office to apply for
scholarships offered by local organizations
Helpful Hints
• Start searching early.
All students can start searching for scholarships as
some are open to students in all grade levels.
• Be persistent.
There is money out there but winning scholarships
takes time and effort.
Do not pay for “scholarship searches” – this can be
done on your own and for free – be wary of any
organization asking for money from you.
APPLY, APPLY, APPLY
• You cannot qualify for financial aid, the HOPE
or other scholarships unless you APPLY!!!
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to receive
$$$$$$ for your education!!!!
• There is no limit to the number of scholarships
you can earn! Some students have received 5-10
different scholarships.
HOPE and financial aid are
constantly changing. Always make
sure to check with a college’s
financial aid office for complete
details.
For more information :
www.gsfc.org
(Georgia Student Finance Commission)
Or
www.gacollege411.org
The Big Thank You
• A program to write letters to service men and
women overseas during the holiday season. If
you are interested, please see the information
following this slide.
The Big Thank You
• Each letter should be heartfelt, handwritten, original, and free of
any political statements. The purpose of the letter is to express
thanks to the military personnel currently deployed outside the
United States. We reserve the right to eliminate those messages
that are political in nature and do not reflect a positive message in
the spirit of Thanksgiving. Those letters will be destroyed.
•
• All letters must be on 8.5” x 11” paper or smaller. Do not use
glue, tape, staples, cardboard, glitter or otherwise attach anything
to the paper. Decorate using crayons, pencil, etc. Use both sides
if you like, but use one page per letter only. Do not send cards or
photographs. Feel free to include your mailing and email address,
and you may get a response. Individual letters should not be
sealed in envelopes.
The Big Thank You
• If you wish to participate, hand in your letters
to your homeroom teacher or Ms. Manning.