Georgia Scholarships

Spouses and dependent children of Georgia public safety officers or public school employees who were permanently disabled or killed in the line of duty may qualify. School employees must have been victims of on-campus violence. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible permanent residents and Georgia legal residents for at least 12 months. Grants cover the cost of attendance minus other financial aid, up to $18,000 per award year, with a lifetime maximum of $72,000. Recipients must enroll full-time at an eligible Georgia college, university, or technical college. Apply each academic year through GAfutures. Awards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis as funds are available.

Georgia residents enrolled in ABET-accredited engineering or engineering technology programs, or ACCE-accredited construction management, may apply. Scholarships support freshmen, upperclassmen, and graduate students preparing for engineering careers. Individual awards typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, with up to 60 scholarships granted annually. Selection weighs academics, engineering interest, financial need, and involvement. Complete the online application with a photo, transcript, SAT or ACT scores if needed, and three references for incoming freshmen.

Graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Utah, or select California counties may apply for the Greenhouse Scholars Whole Person College Program. Applicants need a 3.5+ unweighted GPA and household income at or below $80,000. Up to 37 scholars receive up to $5,000 per academic year in last-dollar tuition support over five undergraduate years, plus mentorship, professional networking, leadership training, internship support, flex funding grants, and community projects. Part 1 requires a short answer response; eligible applicants are invited to Part 2 with transcripts, test scores, two recommendations, four written responses, a five-minute video, and proof of income. Finalists attend in-person interviews. Semi-finalists and finalists complete a multi-stage application process.

Georgia residents who graduate from a HOPE-eligible high school with a 3.0 GPA (or meet alternate eligibility pathways) and enroll at Clark Atlanta University may receive the Georgia HOPE Scholarship. Eligible full-time students at private institutions receive $2,985 per semester ($1,493 for half-time enrollment). Amounts are set annually by the Georgia Legislature. Apply through GAfutures.org and Clark Atlanta financial aid. Applicants must meet Georgia residency, citizenship, selective service, and compliance requirements.

High school seniors and undergraduates in Georgia who are infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS and are enrolled in or planning to enroll in a postsecondary or vocational program may apply for Bright HEROs scholarships through HERO for Children. Awards are up to $2,000; the number of scholarships varies as funds allow. Applicants need demonstrated academic accomplishment and evidence of financial need. Submit the application with academic records, proof of enrollment or acceptance, references, and a personal essay on your goals and financial need. Funds pay tuition and fees or support academic development activities. Bright HEROs seeks to help children affected by HIV/AIDS succeed in continuing education.

Georgia residents who are siblings of an individual with a developmental disability and are enrolled in or accepted to a nonprofit two- or four-year undergraduate program may apply for the Drew Swan Sibling Scholarship from Extra Special People (ESP). One non-renewable $1,500 award is paid directly to the recipient's institution based on merit within the applicant pool. Students may attend part time or full time. Complete the application with proof of enrollment or acceptance and any supporting materials requested by the selection committee. The scholarship honors Andrew "Drew" Swan, sibling of an ESP program participant.

Georgia residents enrolled in an eligible certificate or diploma program (not a bachelor's degree) at a participating Georgia college or university may receive HOPE Grant tuition assistance. The award equals the HOPE rate per credit hour enrolled, up to 15 hours per term. Amounts vary by institution and legislative appropriation. Recipients must maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative postsecondary GPA and stay within HOPE hour limits. Students apply by completing the FAFSA or the Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPPS) and confirming eligibility with their institution's financial aid office.

DACA, TPS, undocumented, and other high-need students who are graduating high school seniors or recent graduates residing in Georgia, North Carolina, or South Carolina may apply for the Golden Door Scholarship. Applicants need a minimum 3.2 GPA, demonstrated financial need, and a plan to major in a career-ready field. Awards cover full tuition and room and board for up to four years at a participating partner college, along with career coaching and mentorship. Exact amounts may vary by college match. Complete the full application, including required essay and video, plus academic transcripts and other requested materials. Recipients accept their college match and major in a preferred field.

Georgia residents enrolled as degree-seeking undergraduates at eligible Georgia colleges or universities may qualify for the state HOPE Scholarship. You must meet residency, academic progress, and federal aid requirements, including Selective Service registration where applicable. Award amounts vary by institution type and program. Funds help cover tuition and other eligible educational costs at participating schools. Apply by completing the FAFSA or the Georgia Student Finance Application (GSFAPP). Incoming freshmen may also need to provide references and supporting documents such as transcripts and test scores.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are high school seniors or college freshmen or sophomores under age 20 and residing in eligible states or the District of Columbia may apply. Applicants need a minimum 3.0 GPA (high school seniors) or 2.75 GPA (college students), plus demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, community involvement, and financial need. Award amounts vary based on need and may renew for up to four academic years. Complete the application with details on honors, leadership, community service, financial need, and future goals. Funds must be used at an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Student-athletes in intercollegiate sports and exclusively online students are ineligible. The Jimmy Rane Foundation has awarded hundreds of scholarships to help deserving students pursue college educations.