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What is the HOPE GPA? The state of Georgia has one of the best state-supported scholarship programs in the country, but you have to earn it by having a minimum HOPE GPA of 3.0 at graduation from high school. Your HOPE GPA includes all of the academic courses you take in high school. That includes the areas of English, math, social studies, foreign language and science. The HOPE GPA includes all of the courses students can take to meet the 4th science requirement – whether you count that course as your fourth science or not. For example, many of our students who take a lot of Agriculture courses take Animal Science & Biotechnology, Forestry, Wildlife Management, and Horticulture & Plant Science. All four of those courses, if taken, would be computed into the HOPE GPA.

How can I monitor my HOPE GPA? If you saw several thousand dollars sitting on a table and knew there were specific steps you could take to obtain it legally, you would probably take those specific steps. You should look at the HOPE Scholarship the same way. Students should monitor their HOPE GPA throughout high school. Go to Gacollege411.org and you can link to “Your HOPE GPA” from the short cuts section listed on the home page. High school students can begin monitoring their HOPE GPA after completing one semester of the 9th grade. Remember – a 3.0 GPA (not 2.9999) or above will earn you thousands of dollars toward the cost of your college education!

How can I get my HOPE GPA Report from Gacollege411? Your HOPE GPA Report includes lots of great information. To obtain this report go to “Your HOPE GPA” from the shortcuts listed on the Gacollege411 homepage. You will need your account name and password. If you do not know these see anyone in the Guidance Office. You will also need to enter your social security number, date of birth, permanent address and mailing address into your Profile. After you login to gacollege411 you: 1) Click on Portfolio 2) Click on Your Profile 3) Click on The Basics 4) Click on Edit 5) Add date of birth, social security number, permanent address and mailing address – click on SAVE

The Zell Miller Scholarship If a student maintains a HOPE GPA of 3.7 and makes a minimum 1200 combined on the Critical Reading and Math portions of the SAT or has a minimum composite score of 26 on the ACT, he qualifies for the Zell Miller Scholarship. The Zell Miller Scholarship is worth significantly more than the HOPE Scholarship. Visit Gacollege411 to learn what the HOPE Scholarship and Zell Miller Scholarship are worth at each college and university in Georgia, both public and private.

How does the HOPE GPA Report depict your progress toward meeting the new HOPE Scholarship rigor requirements? As a member of the graduating class of 2015, students need two courses that have been identified by the state as courses of rigor. Look at your classmate’s HOPE GPA Report. As a member of the graduating class of 2016, students need three courses that have been identified by the state as courses of rigor. Look at your classmate’s HOPE GPA Report. As a member of the graduating class of 2017, students need four courses that have been identified by the state as courses of rigor. Look at your classmate’s HOPE GPA Report. As a member of the graduating class of 2018, students need four courses that have been identified by the state as courses of rigor. Look at your classmate’s HOPE GPA Report. These are the courses of rigor offered at FCHS:

CCGPS Advanced Algebra Human Anatomy and Physiology Chemistry I Physics I Forensic Science French II Spanish II In addition, approved ACCEL-funded Dual Enrollment courses taken in core academic areas (English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language) meet HOPE rigor requirements. There are also a large number of courses that are offered through Georgia Virtual School that meet the HOPE rigor requirements.