Georgia’s Helping Educate Reservists and Their Offspring (HERO) Scholarship supports qualifying members of the state National Guard or U.S. military reserves and certain spouses or dependent children. The rules recognize qualifying military service and, in defined cases, service-related injury or death. It is not limited to recent high-school graduates, but citizenship, residency, and military records must match the regulation.
The 2026–27 regulation defines eligible members, service, dependents, citizenship, and Georgia residency, with exceptions for military personnel stationed in Georgia and state Guard members. Students must attend an eligible postsecondary institution and provide service or relationship documents requested by the school. Enrollment level affects proration; the college confirms eligible terms and credits.
The full-time maximum is $2,000 per award year: $1,000 for each of two semesters or term-specific quarterly amounts under the regulation. Part-time awards are prorated by hours. A student cannot receive more than two semesters or three quarters per award year, and the award must be reduced if combined aid exceeds cost of attendance.
Read the FY2027 regulation first and ask the college financial-aid office for its document list: orders, service history, proof of relationship, and residency evidence can vary by pathway. Complete FAFSA if the college requires it, submit the HERO form by its institutional deadline, and keep copies. Ask how the scholarship coordinates with other state or military aid.
Do not treat the maximum as guaranteed: service category, relationship, residency, and other aid change the amount. Read the program profile and the administering office; ask your campus financial-aid office to review your individual file.
HERO Scholarship Program Regulations FY2027 — Georgia Student Finance Commission.
State Scholarship and Grant Programs — Georgia Student Finance Commission.
Regulations 2026–2027 — Georgia Student Finance Commission.
Information checked on October 13, 2026 against official sources. Cycles, funding, and deadlines can change each year. Where the 2026–27 deadline has passed, this is stated clearly; check the next application cycle and do not assume an award is automatic.
Do not treat the maximum as guaranteed: service category, relationship, residency, and other aid change the amount.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Helping Educate Reservists and Their Offspring (HERO) Scholarship
Up to $2,000 per year for full-time enrollment, prorated for part-time study and limited by terms; total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance.
Public student financial-aid program
Georgia Student Finance Commission — HERO Scholarship Program
The agency defines qualifying service and relationships; the college verifies residency, enrollment, other aid, and military documents.
Public student-aid administering office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Helping Educate Reservists and Their Offspring (HERO) Scholarship ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Georgia Student Finance Commission — HERO Scholarship Program ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.