Georgia is one of only two states that does not have a needs-based scholarship program for secondary education.  Right now, almost 42% of Georgia’s college students report that they get no financial support from their parents.  Some of those students don’t qualify for the HOPE scholarship, but still find the cost of their education to be a challenge.  A bill passed by the Georgia General Assembly would establish a grant program to help some of those students.

Additionally, a study by the University of Georgia found that students from higher-income families get the majority of grants and scholarships, even though the median family income for students in 17 colleges in Georgia is less than $40,000.  More than 30 percent of students with family income higher than $120,000 received the Zell Miller Scholarship for at least one semester, compared to less than 10 percent of students with family income less than $30,000.

Dubbed the “Good Faith Grant Act”, the bipartisan measure will create a comprehensive needs-based scholarship program for Georgia students that qualify for college admissions, but might not qualify for the Hope Scholarship.

To be eligible for a Good Faith Program Grant, students must be incoming freshmen seeking a degree at a Georgia post-secondary institution after completing an accredited public, private, or home secondary school program with at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

Students must demonstrate financial need, apply for federal student aid via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and qualify for in-state tuition.

Governor Kemp is expected to sign the legislation.