These days, I often get asked by friends living in Georgia about their kids' GPAs. They want to know if a GPA of 3.5 qualifies for HOPE and what the requirements are for Zell Miller.

At first, I thought it was as simple as looking at the GPA on the school transcript. But when I looked into it, I found out that it's a much more detailed process than I expected.

So today, I'll summarize the information based on the official resources from the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) and GAfutures. If you have a high school student or are a high school student yourself, please read on.

To get straight to the point, the HOPE scholarship requires a high school HOPE GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The Zell Miller scholarship requires a HOPE GPA of 3.7 or higher, along with an SAT score of 1200 or an ACT score of 26. The SAT or ACT scores must be from a single test and must be obtained before graduating high school.

One point that many people overlook is that if you are designated as the valedictorian or salutatorian, there is a separate pathway to qualify for Zell Miller.

Another crucial aspect is the concept of HOPE GPA. The GPA on the school transcript and the HOPE GPA may not be the same number.

The HOPE GPA is calculated separately by the GSFC using only core subjects: English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language.

This means that an A in physical education or art, or in elective courses, does not count towards the HOPE GPA. I was really surprised when I learned this.

The weighting system is also different from what schools use. Any weighting given by the school is removed, and only core subjects taken in AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment programs receive an additional 0.5 points for grades B, C, D, or F.

This means that an A does not go above 4.0. So, if you received a weighted GPA of 4.2 at school, you shouldn't feel too secure.

Another requirement is the rigor requirement. Graduates after May 1, 2017, must complete at least 4 rigor courses to qualify for HOPE or Zell Miller.

Rigor courses include advanced math, advanced science, foreign language, AP or IB courses in core subjects, and Dual Enrollment courses in core subjects. The best way to find out which courses qualify is to get a list from your school counselor.

So, does that mean if you can't reach a 3.0, you're out of luck? Not necessarily. Even if you don't receive HOPE at graduation, you can still qualify for HOPE if you achieve a HOPE GPA of 3.0 or higher at 30, 60, or 90 attempted credit hours in college.

However, there are maintenance requirements once you're in college. You must maintain a HOPE GPA of 3.0 at the 30, 60, and 90 attempted credit hour checkpoints and at the end of each spring semester.

For Zell Miller, you need to maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher in college. If your GPA falls below 3.3 but remains above 3.0, you will receive HOPE instead.

Let's talk about the amounts as well. In 2023, the budget changed, and the HOPE scholarship now covers 100% of tuition at public colleges.

The Zell Miller scholarship has always been a program that covers the full tuition at public colleges. So, in terms of tuition alone, the difference between the two has decreased compared to before.

However, this is just about tuition. Costs for room and board, meals, textbooks, and various fees are separate, so even with the scholarship, tuition won't be zero.

Additionally, the funding for HOPE is determined each year by the state legislature's budget. The proposed budget for the 2027 fiscal year includes an increase to meet HOPE demand, but I recommend checking the table published by GSFC each year for the exact support amounts by school.

So, since the differences between Zell Miller and HOPE have narrowed, does that mean there's no need to aim for Zell Miller? I still believe it's worth pursuing.

If you go to a private college, the amount of support can change, and more importantly, the SAT score of 1200 or ACT score of 26 can also be used for other scholarships, not just college admissions. It's like hitting two targets with one shot.

So what can you do right now? First, create a GAfutures account to check your child's HOPE GPA directly.

Second, consult with your counselor to plan when to complete the 4 rigor courses. Trying to fit them in at the end of 11th grade can be really stressful.

Third, take the SAT or ACT early. Since you need to meet the criteria in one test, it's good to secure multiple opportunities in advance.

Honestly, I think this system is quite good. A public program that alleviates tuition worries based solely on grades, regardless of parental income, is a significant opportunity for immigrant families.

However, there are also downsides. Families that are unaware of this complicated calculation may miss out on opportunities even with the same grades.

That's why I wrote this article. I hope no one misses out on benefits due to information gaps.

Remember the numbers 3.0 and 3.7, and 1200 and 26. Keep these four in mind, and make sure to check your child's HOPE GPA directly on GAfutures. I'm curious to know what your child's HOPE GPA is.