HOPE Scholarship
Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) is funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education. For complete information on HOPE programs, visit www.gacollege411.org.
Georgia residency and citizenship requirements
To qualify for HOPE funds, students must be Georgia residents for at least one year. Only U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens may receive HOPE funding. Eligible non-citizens must achieve eligible non-citizen status twelve months prior to the term for which HOPE funding is sought.
HOPE Scholarship - for degree programs
HOPE Scholarships are for HOPE Scholars who enroll in associate and bachelor's degree programs. Students with a prior bachelor's degree do not qualify for the HOPE Scholarship. For eligible students, the HOPE Scholarship pays a percentage of tuition and nothing for fees. You do not have to be a full-time student to receive HOPE funding.
HOPE is awarded at Dalton State upon the assumption of full-time enrollment, but pays based on the student's actual class schedule. In order for the HOPE Scholarship to pay for upper division (level 3000 and 4000) courses, the student must be enrolled in a bachelor's degree program.
How do I apply for the HOPE Scholarship?
There are two ways to apply:
Complete the federal aid application (FAFSA) each academic year. The benefit of this application is that you are considered for both HOPE and federal aid programs such as the Federal Pell Grant.
OR
Complete the on-line HOPE application called the GSFAPP.
How do I become a HOPE Scholar?
HOPE Scholar status is determined by the Georgia Student Finance Commission, based on grades submitted by your high school guidance office following graduation. Anticipated and final HOPE Scholar status may be viewed by high school students through an account at www.gacollege411.org.
Students who were not HOPE Scholars following high school graduation may qualify for the HOPE Scholarship after attempting 30, 60 or 90 college credit hours with a minimum 3.0 HOPE GPA.
How is HOPE GPA determined?
HOPE GPA is calculated using college credit hours earned after high school graduation. This includes transfer hours. HOPE GPA may be different than Dalton State GPA. The following grades are included in the HOPE GPA, but not in the Dalton State GPA: 1) Transfer hour grades and 2) grades received in College Prep Courses (CPC) courses taken at Dalton State. You may view your current HOPE GPA through DSConnect.
HOPE Checkpoints
Students must have a HOPE GPA of at least 3.0 at HOPE Checkpoints in order to maintain the HOPE Scholarship. Students who reach a HOPE Checkpoint and have taken ONLY Learning Support classes will have a 0.0 GPA at the checkpoint and will lose HOPE eligibility. Students who lose HOPE at a checkpoint may regain eligibility with a minimum 3.0 HOPE GPA after attempting 30, 60 or 90 credit hours. The two types of HOPE Checkpoints are listed below.
Spring checkpoint - HOPE Scholarship recipients must have a minimum HOPE GPA of 3.0 at the end of each Spring Semester. The only students who do not go through the Spring HOPE Checkpoint are first-time freshmen who enrolled part-time (11 or fewer credit hours) in Fall and/or Spring terms.
30, 60 and 90 attempted hours - HOPE GPA is also checked after terms in which the student has attempted 30, 60 or 90 credit hours.
HOPE Scholarship Limits
Students with HOPE attempted hours (both Dalton State hours and transfer hours) of 127 hours or more do not qualify for the HOPE Scholarship. Students may view their HOPE attempted hours through their last completed term on DSConnect. HOPE Scholarship eligibility is also limited to 127 combined HOPE-paid hours (HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant and ACCEL).
Can I receive HOPE as a transient student?
HOPE-eligible students may receive HOPE for transient study.
Students transient TO Dalton State: Have your home institution's financial aid office certify HOPE eligibility on-line for transient study at Dalton State College. There may be a delay in certification until your HOPE GPA can be determined at the end of the current term.
Students transient FROM Dalton State: Have your transient study approved by the Dalton State Enrollment Services Office. After transient study is approved, inform the Dalton State Financial Aid Office. Our office will certify HOPE Scholarship eligibility for eligible students after the HOPE GPA is determined. There may be a delay in certification until your HOPE GPA can be determined at the end of the current term.
HOPE Grant - for certificate programs
HOPE Grants are for students who enroll in the School of Technology certificate and mini-certificate programs. For eligible students, the HOPE Grant pays a portion of tuition and nothing for fees. The HOPE Grant will only pay for required certificate/mini-certificate classes. You do not have to be a full-time student to receive HOPE funding.
HOPE is awarded at Dalton State based upon the assumption of full-time enrollment, but pays based on the student's actual class schedule.
How Do I Apply for the HOPE Grant?
There are two ways to apply:
Complete the federal aid application (FAFSA) each academic year. The benefit of this application is that you are considered for both HOPE and federal aid programs such as the Pell Grant. (Students taking mini-certificates of 15 hours or less are not eligible for federal aid.)
Complete the on-line HOPE application called the GSFAPP.
HOPE Grant limits
The HOPE Grant may be received for a maximum of 63 paid hours (starting with Summer 2003).
HOPE GED
The HOPE GED is a one-time $500 award for students who have completed their GED high school equivalency diploma within the last two years. Students receive a GED voucher from the Georgia Student Finance Commission. This voucher must be turned in to the Dalton State Financial Aid Office. To receive the on-time GED award, students must also complete either 1) the Free Application for Federal Student Aid; or 2) the on-line HOPE application - make sure to indicate that you are applying for HOPE GED funds.
Students who are otherwise eligible may receive HOPE GED and HOPE Grant funds during the same term. You do not have to be a full-time student to receive HOPE funding.
HOPE Grant
The HOPE Grant is for students taking classes in the School of Technology. Complete an on-line HOPE application called the GSFAPP.