Started By
Message
OT--Georgia's HOPE Scholarship Q&A
Posted on 12/27/15 at 9:18 am
Posted on 12/27/15 at 9:18 am
Anyone have experience with the HOPE grant/scholly process/program? Any pitfalls or issues to be wary of? About to take that plunge. Right now kid #1 is headed to either Mercer or UGA (will probably just miss out on Zell Miller Scholarship). TIA.
4
Posted on 12/27/15 at 9:22 am to Brick67
Well I don't know how much things have changed but if your kid goes to Mercer than HOPE won't matter because it's a private institution. If they opt to go to UGA, though, I believe it covers most if not all tuition (but you still have to pay fees and books and housing and food). Once they get their official acceptance and decide where they're going, have them contact the financial aid office at whichever school and asks to speak with an aid counselor; they'll be able to walk you through the processes of how to get it all set up
Posted on 12/27/15 at 9:45 am to Brick67
quote:
Any pitfalls or issues to be wary of?
I graduated two years ago and I never had any issues issues really, but I would suggest trying build a nice GPA buffer for the first year to year and a half with some core classes, but save all the general electives until you are out of core classes, no reason to knock them out of the way early because they can be very useful in inflating a GPA during a tough semester. I would also recommend trying to space out some of the more challenging courses, maybe take one during the summer, or mix in some of the harder courses with general electives if you are out of core classes.
I would recommend utilizing the 7 hours of drops that HOPE allows for if you are in danger of dipping below a 3.0 120 hours is all you need to graduate and since HOPE covers 127 you can drop two classes it will still last for the entire length of the degree.
While HOPE does cover a decent chunk of tuition you will still have to pay about $1,200 to cover the remaining tuition per semester, and also at least another $250-300 on text books and other dumbass "learning" tools that they force you to buy in order to complete your coursework. HOPE does not provide a book allowance anymore so there is really no incentive to buy books new and from the university bookstore. If you can get away with purchasing/renting older editions of text books from Amazon or Chegg, I would strongly recommend going this route unless they are specifically told otherwise because the older editions are often a fraction of the price.
Posted on 12/27/15 at 11:37 am to Cherokee Chinstrap
I'd like to add onto Cherokee's post. Always buy used books. I've been out of college for 10 years, but I remember buying used books on ebay then selling them for slightly higher than what I originally paid. Never buy from the book store unless you absolutely have to.
Also, I'm not sure if they changed this, but my GPA dropped below 3.0 for a short time, and I was able to keep my hope by switching to an associate's degree. There's a difference between the HOPE scholarship, and the HOPE grant. I had to pay for a semester, but it was refunded when I switched to the HOPE grant.
Also, I'm not sure if they changed this, but my GPA dropped below 3.0 for a short time, and I was able to keep my hope by switching to an associate's degree. There's a difference between the HOPE scholarship, and the HOPE grant. I had to pay for a semester, but it was refunded when I switched to the HOPE grant.
Posted on 12/27/15 at 11:51 am to Cherokee Chinstrap
I understand Mercer accepts HOPE now.
I've also got post 9/11 GI Bill but scholarship apps aren't finished. Mercer brought $17k to the table.
I've also got post 9/11 GI Bill but scholarship apps aren't finished. Mercer brought $17k to the table.
This post was edited on 12/27/15 at 11:58 am
Posted on 12/27/15 at 6:04 pm to Brick67
Take as many may mesters as possible and take as many classes in the summer as you can. Summer classes are way easier than regular semester classes but you have to have the attitude that your gonna make straight A's and turn everything in on time.
Posted on 12/28/15 at 12:29 am to Brick67
Zell is awesome but frick the plus minus system UGA uses..
All I have to say
All I have to say
Posted on 12/28/15 at 8:23 am to DirtyDawg
What is the plus/minus system?
Posted on 12/28/15 at 1:06 pm to history88
I assume it recognizes the difference between a high "A" "B" or "C" and a low "A" "B" or "C"
Posted on 12/28/15 at 1:20 pm to Rollo
Ok, my college adopted that right before I graduated.
Posted on 12/28/15 at 9:24 pm to Brick67
HOPE at UGA is great. Worst semester I took was like $1100. As far as my experience, the only folks who couldn't get and or maintain HOPE were lazy asses. Even the kids who probably shouldn't have gotten to UGA usually could work their way above a 3.0.
Posted on 12/28/15 at 10:10 pm to history88
quote:
What is the plus/minus system?
92.5 or Above for an A 4.0
89.5 or up for an A- 3.75
82.5 or up for a B 3.0
78 somgething for a B minus which is 2.75 and so on down the scale.
It's a total bullshite thing that causes the margin of error in the tougher classes to be razor thin
This post was edited on 12/28/15 at 10:11 pm
Page 1 of 1
Latest Georgia News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News