Georgia Student Finance Commission — HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships

HOPE and Zell Miller are Georgia merit scholarships for students attending eligible in-state institutions. Zell Miller requires stronger academic results, and neither award is determined solely by the weighted GPA on a transcript: GSFC calculates a “HOPE GPA” from core courses under state rules. The official profile links to eligibility, applications, and current 2026–27 charts.

HOPE requires a 3.0 HOPE GPA in English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language, plus academic rigor. Zell Miller requires a 3.7 and combined SAT 1200 or ACT 25 from an accepted sitting, except for the valedictorian/salutatorian path in the rules. Renewal GPA floors are 3.0 for HOPE and 3.3 for Zell Miller. Checkpoints and funded-hour limits also apply.

Award amounts vary by campus and credits. For 2026–27 GSFC publishes tuition percentages and per-credit rates rather than one statewide amount for every student. Confirm that your college and program participate, then compare the award letter with other aid. Tuition is not total cost: do not assume housing, food, books, transportation, or charges outside the stated coverage are included.

Apply through FAFSA or GSFAPP, the Georgia Student Finance Application, and complete campus documents. GAfutures lets students review their records; if transcripts or courses from several high-school years are missing, GSFC may need records from earlier schools before calculating eligibility. Confirm institutional deadlines and that the correct college code appears.

The 2026–27 regulations specify citizenship and Georgia residency categories. Depending on a student’s status at graduation, the requirement may be 12 or 24 months; military members and dependents have specific provisions. Before accepting an award, ask the college to verify HOPE GPA, residency, checkpoints, credit limit, and current tuition amount. Do not use prior-year charts.

Who it serves and what it can cover: 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.

How to apply or get help: Apply through FAFSA or GSFAPP (Georgia Student Finance Application). Confirm your college deadline and check the official 2026–27 award chart, which varies by campus and credits. For case-specific questions, contact the program or financial-aid office named on its official page.

Official application and program information