FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR FINANCIAL AID

1. What is Georgia's HOPE Program?
   HOPE - Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally - is Georgia's unique scholarship and grant program that rewards students with financial assistance in degree, diploma, and certificate programs at eligible Georgia public and private colleges and universities, and public technical colleges. HOPE programs available to students at South Georgia College include HOPE Scholarship and HOPE GED.

2. What is the HOPE Scholarship?
   The HOPE Scholarship is for degree-seeking students (students pursuing one of SGC's Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science programs) who are legal residents of Georgia, are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and who have not already earned a bachelor's degree. Students must also have graduated high school with a "B" average (3.0 if the student completed the College Prep curriculum, 3.2 if the student completed the Vocational curriculum).
   If the student did not qualify for HOPE Scholarship as a freshman, then the student must have attempted at least 30 semester hours, but no more than 127 semester hours, and must have earned a minimum grade point average of a 3.0 at either the 30th, 60th, or 90th attempted hour, whichever is appropriate.
   Currently, HOPE Scholarship pays 100% of a student's tuition, most (but not all) student fees, and provides for a Book Allowance of up to $150.00. There is no enrollment hour restriction, so students are not required to enroll full-time to receive the Scholarship. However, students enrolled in fewer than 6 semester hours will receive a Book Allowance of only $75.00.

3. Is there a limit on the number of hours a student can attempt or receive payment under the HOPE Scholarship?
   Yes.
   For HOPE Scholarship, students can attempt up to 127 semester hours, which includes hours that are not paid for by the Scholarship. In addition, students can receive payment for no more than 127 semester hours.

4. I withdrew from a class not long after a semester began. Will the hours associated with that class be counted in my checkpoint hours and in my lifetime attempted hours limit 0f 127?
   Yes. The HOPE program tracks attempted hours, so any hours you attempt but do not complete because you withdrew from the course are still considered attempted hours and will be included in determining your grade point average checkpoint and in determining your 127 attempted hours limit.

5. What is the HOPE GED?
   The HOPE GED program provides for a one-time only payment of $500.00 to students who earned a GED Diploma after June 30, 1993. Students must be enrolled in a certificate, diploma, or degree program at an eligible GA postsecondary school and must be a legal resident of Georgia and a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident.
   Eligible students should receive a HOPE GED voucher from the Georgia Student Finance Commission, which should be presented to the aid office upon enrollment. Students must use their GED award within 24 months from the date of the GED diploma.
   Also, a student must present the voucher for payment during the first term of enrollment as a degree-seeking student. A student who does not present the voucher during this time can not be paid a HOPE GED award during a subsequent term.

6. How do I apply for a HOPE Scholarship?
   If you file a FAFSA, the aid office will use your FAFSA application as your application for HOPE Scholarship. However, the FAFSA is not a requirement for either program. Students who are not interested in applying for federal aid using the FAFSA can, instead, apply for assistance through the HOPE program by completing the online GSFAPPS application at www.gacollege411.org.
   To complete a GSFAPPS online application, the student will first need to create a user account on the gacollege411 web site by clicking on "Create an Account" located in the top left corner of the gacollege411 homepage and following the instructions. After creating the account, the student will click on the tab at the top labeled "Applications & Transcripts," then click on "GSFAPPS." When asked if the student is Independent or Dependent, the student should use the following guidelines:
   • Select Independent if the student is over age 24, or is married, or if the student has children. Independent students are not required to provide parental information;
   • Select Dependent if the student is under age 24, is single, and has no children. Dependent students must provide parental information.
   Students should be reminded that they can not be considered for federal aid, including a federal student loan, until a FAFSA is processed for the appropriate aid year.