More students in Georgia will have the possibility for free college in the 2018-2019 school year due to increased funding towards the HOPE scholarship according to the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI).
HOPE, which gets its funding from the Georgia Lottery, has plans to increase its funding by $50.4 million dollars according to the GBPI. This will include the HOPE Scholarship as well as the Zell-Miller Scholarship.
Because of financial barriers, college isn’t an option for everyone. “There are a lot of kids who are in need, and they have a lot of potential,” New York native Elizabeth P. said. HOPE provides kids with the opportunity to break these barriers.
Implemented in 1993, the HOPE Financial Aid Program has relieved the financial wounds that college often inflicts. The program consists of the HOPE scholarship, grant, GED grant, career grant, and the Zell Miller Scholarship and grant.
The HOPE scholarship offers a dollar amount per credit hour earned, dependent on the university. The Zell Miller Scholarship is awarded to students with at least a 3.7 GPA, taking four rigorous classes, and have at least a 1200 SAT and/or 26 ACT.
“HOPE is cutting the cost of my tuition to make school more affordable. Now I don’t have to rely on finding several non-institutional scholarships,” HOPE Scholar and University of Georgia student Kaleb Comer said.
Free college is becoming a hot topic amongst candidates of the 2018 Gubernatorial election. Democratic nominees Stacey Evans and Stacey Abrams are directing much of their platform towards supplementing and maintaining the HOPE program in Georgia.
“I know Stacey wants to make sure that college in Georgia is a possibility for everyone, not just those with the most money,” Intern for Stacey Abrams’ campaign and high school senior Jackson Caruso said.
As college becomes more of a requirement to venture into the workforce, Georgia is making it possible for its students to achieve their degrees with as little debt as possible.