Fighting for the community and students of West Georgia.
Drug Offenses And The HOPE Scholarship/Grant
Many of our students in the state of Georgia take advantage of the HOPE Scholarship or the HOPE Grant. HOPE was established so that deserving students could have an opportunity to achieve some form of postsecondary education. Over the years HOPE has allowed thousands of students to realize their dreams of seeking some form of formal education after high school. However, many of our students are unaware that they risk losing HOPE every time they mess with drugs.
HOPE Scholarship Program at Public/Private Institutions Regulations:
HOPE Regulations Sections 104.6 & 304.7 - Georgia Drug-Free Act: A student convicted of committing certain felony offenses involving marijuana, controlled substances, or dangerous drugs, is ineligible for HOPE Scholarship payment from the date of conviction to the completion of the following school term, in accordance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990.
*Note: Even if you are convicted as a First Offender you will still lose your scholarship.
What happens to HOPE if I am incarcerated? HOPE Regulations Section 104.7 A student seeking a college Degree from an Eligible Postsecondary Institution is ineligible for HOPE payment while incarcerated. Upon release from incarceration, such student may begin receiving HOPE Scholarship payments, if he or she meets all HOPE Scholarship eligibility requirements. College Degree credit hours attempted while incarcerated must be counted as Attempted-Hours for purposes of HOPE eligibility.
HOPE Regulations Section 304.8 A student seeking a technical Certificate or Diploma form an eligible postsecondary institution is ineligible for HOPE payment while incarcerated. Upon release form incarceration, such students may begin receiving HOPE Grant payments, if he or she meets all eligibility requirements.
What is HOPE?
If you are a Georgia resident enrolling in a degree program at an eligible Georgia public or private college, university, or public technical college, you may be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship. Recipients must demonstrate academic achievement. The award at public institutions covers tuition, HOPE-approved mandatory fees, and a book allowance. If you wish to enroll in a Georgia private institution, you may be eligible for a $3,500 per academic year scholarship for full-time study or $1,750 for half-time study (6-11 hours).
If you are a Georgia resident enrolling in a technical certificate or diploma program at an eligible Georgia public college, university, or public technical college, you may be eligible for the HOPE Grant regardless of high school graduation dates or grade point averages. The HOPE Grant covers tuition, HOPE-approved mandatory fees, and a book allowance.