School Grants Programs In Georgia

There are 96 statewide post secondary schools in Georgia, such as, universities, colleges, and technical schools. The Georgia Student Finance Commission and other related bodies are in charge of giving out school grants in Georgia,  scholarships and other financial aid to students in Georgia.

A good source of financial aid for Georgia students who are college bound or attending an eligible college in Georgia is the Georgia HOPE program which is funded by the state lottery system. The monetary award amounts given to students receiving a HOPE award attending public colleges or universities covers tuition, mandatory fees, and books. The funds for students getting a HOPE award attending a private university or college is: $3,500 per academic year for full-time students, i.e., $1,750 per semester or $1,166 per quarter for full-time students; or $875 per semester or $583 per quarter for part-time students. The Georgia HOPE program is for Georgia residents, and you must have a 3.0 GPA or the equivalent.

You must also be pursuing a college degree at a participating college in Georgia, and you need to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident. You must sign up for U.S. Selective Service. You need to be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Post Secondary Education Act of 1990. You can’t get a HOPE award if you have been convicted of certain felonies regarding marijuana, or illegal drugs. You must not e in default on any type of student loan or financial aid. And you need to maintain satisfactory academic progress at the university you are or plan to attend in Georgia.

There are three different types of HOPE awards: the HOPE Grant; the HOPE Scholarship; and the HOPE Accel Program. And there is a limit to how many awards you can receive. You cannot get the HOPE Scholarship if you have gotten payment from any combination of the three HOPE awards for funds totaling 190 quarter hours of credit or totaling 127 semester hours of credit. The HOPE Scholarship is only for studies for first-time Bachelor Degree students.

To apply for the HOPE Scholarship when you will be attending a public or private post secondary institution, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). And there is an application form link for the HOPE Scholarship. More information about the application process and application deadlines can be found at the financial aid office of the school you plan to enroll at in Georgia. Also, you may contact the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) for more information about the HOPE financial aid program.

Grants in Georgia for 2012

Continuing your education beyond high school is expensive but will be one of the most important decisions that you will make in your lifetime. If you live in the state of Georgia and would like to pursue a higher level of education then with a little bit of research and the filling out of a few forms you could be on your way to college thanks to the help of grants. Before you apply for any grants in the state it is essential that you fill out the FAFSA form first. Let us look at what you can expect in terms of grants this year:

- The HOPE Scholarship and Grant Program: This is the largest and the most populate type of grant found in Georgia. The HOPE Scholarship/Grant Program stands for Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally. The program is funded by the Georgia State Lottery and it is offered to those students who have consistently been able to show high standards in terms of their academic achievements. Students who wish to apply must have a 3.0 GPA.  Eligible recipients of this grant must never have been convicted of a felony related to drugs and must not currently have any outstanding debts owing to any  financial aid entities for previous schooling they have had. To learn more about HOPE visit the Georgia Student Finance Commission’s website at http://www.gsfc.org .

-The National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) Grant Program: African American women who reside in Georgia who are interested in training to become nurses can apply for the NBNA grant. This is a grant that is available to those who wish to enroll in nursing programs that are four years in duration.

-Spelman College Grant: This grant is aimed at African American women who wish to attend Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. The grants that are given out to students at this college are based on financial need in most cases, although in some instances they are also based on specific programs of study and/or merit. Students interested in applying for this grant can do so through the website for the college, found at http://www.spelman.edu/.

Additional Georgia School Grants

In Georgia there is an array of education grants that can help those who are struggling to find the money to help pay for school expenses. Let us take a look at what is in store for you for the year 2011.

HOPE Grant

The Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) Grant is one of the main education grants in the state of Georgia. The funds from this grant are made available to students graduating from high school who are planning to attend a local college, university or some other type of post-secondary institution. The amount of money
awarded, depending upon the circumstances of the student, in some cases will be for all of the tuition for the school year and will also provide for $300 for text books.

LEAP Grant

The Leveraging Educational Assistant Partnership (LEAP) Grant is not a new education grant but it has been improved on for 2011. The LEAP Grant in Georgia does not award enough for tuition but can be used to pay for school fees, text books, and room and board, as well as other types of school expenses. This grant awards up to $2,000 per student. To apply for the LEAP Grant you must first fill out a FAFSA application form and apply for a Federal Pell Grant. Once you have been approved you can then apply for this state education grant.

Early Reading Program Grants

There are new school grants that have been created for 2011 that support kindergarten to grade 12 in and out of school programming. In particular this grant focuses upon early reading programs and arts and culture in schools. This education grant offers funding to schools, as well as libraries and organizations that support early childhood programs and weekend book clubs.  It provides for greater access to reading and learning.

Here we have given you a glimpse into Georgia education grants. To find out more detailed information about each grant program do a search over the Internet.