HOPE and Zell Miller are Georgia merit scholarships for eligible institutions. Zell Miller has higher academic thresholds, and GSFC calculates a specific HOPE GPA from core courses; a high-school weighted GPA is not automatically the official measure. See the GSFC profile for 2026–27 criteria and charts.
HOPE requires a 3.0 HOPE GPA in English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language, plus rigor. Zell Miller requires 3.7 plus SAT 1200 or ACT 25, or the official valedictorian/salutatorian route. Renewal requires a 3.0 college GPA for HOPE and 3.3 for Zell. Checkpoints and credit limits apply.
Coverage depends on campus and registered credits. For 2026–27 GSFC publishes percentages and per-hour amounts, not one statewide sum. Verify the program participates and compare your financial-aid package. Tuition is not every expense: do not assume housing, food, books, transport, or unlisted charges are included.
Complete FAFSA or GSFAPP (Georgia Student Finance Application) and admission and financial documents. GAfutures lets students review records; if high-school transcripts or courses are incomplete, GSFC may request records from other schools. Confirm your college deadline and application status in the portal.
The 2026–27 regulation specifies citizenship and residency; the required period can be 12 or 24 months depending on history, with military provisions. Ask financial aid to verify calculated GPA, residency, checkpoints, funded credits, and current campus tuition. Do not budget from prior-year charts.
HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships — Georgia Student Finance Commission.
2026–2027 Regulations — Georgia Student Finance Commission.
Award Amounts — Georgia Student Finance Commission.
Georgia Student Finance Application — Georgia Student Finance Commission.
Guide based on official sources checked October 12, 2026. Requirements and dates may change by cohort; confirm current terms before enrolling.
Check your state-calculated HOPE GPA and campus chart: HOPE and Zell Miller have different eligibility and renewal rules.
Options to compare
These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.
Georgia Student Finance Commission — HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships
HOPE requires at least a 3.0 HOPE GPA in core courses plus rigor; renewal requires a 3.0 college GPA. Zell Miller requires a 3.7 HOPE GPA plus SAT 1200/ACT 25, or the valedictorian/salutatorian pathway; renewal requires 3.3. Tuition aid at eligible colleges follows campus-specific charts; living costs should not be assumed covered.
Georgia merit scholarships for residents at eligible institutions
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 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 12, 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 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Georgia Student Finance Commission — HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Georgia Student Finance Commission — HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Georgia Student Finance Commission — HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships ↗
Primary source
Georgia Student Finance Commission · Accessed October 12, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.