Loan: A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest.
Scholarship: A scholarship is merit-based money that is awarded and does not need to be paid back - it is usually based on academic merit, talent, or a particular area of study.
Grant: A scholarship is need-based money that is awarded and does not need to be paid back - it is usually based on financial need.
It is okay to take out student loans, if needed, to pursue their postsecondary education and professional development. But, at CDHS, we love FREE MONEY for our Titan scholars! It is essential for scholars to create their GAFutures account to access information and applications for federal, state, and local financial aid opportunities. You can access college and career planning tools on GAFutures, too! Scholars can also reach out to their school counselor for further asisstance or support with financial aid.
Below, we provide financial aid, scholarship, grant information that is important for our scholars to know and take advantage of.
Postsecondary institutions
Academic
Athletic
Need-based
Major (field of study)-based
Employers (students & parents)
Religious communities
Clubs & organizations
Volunteer organizations
Cohort 2026 (Senior) students and families,
The 2026-27 FAFSA form is open starting October 1st, 2025! Please get started on FAFSA Form as soon as you can apply for your federal financial aid and understand your options. That includes loans, grants, and scholarships!
Georgia's HOPE Scholarship is available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. The scholarship provides money to assist students with a portion of the tuition cost at a HOPE Scholarship eligible college or university. Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship has program eligibility requirements, academic requirements, and a length of eligibility.
Note: Georgia public and private high school students can track their HOPE Scholarship status from high school through their GAfutures account at My High School HOPE GPA.
Georgia's Zell Miller Scholarship is available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. The scholarship provides money to assist students with the full-tuition cost of attending a Zell Miller Scholarship eligible college or university. Georgia’s Zell Miller Scholarship has program eligibility requirements, academic requirements, and a length of eligibility.
Note: Georgia public and private high school students can track their Zell Miller Scholarship status from high school through their GAfutures account at My High School HOPE GPA.
Georgia's HOPE Grant (a separate program from the HOPE Scholarship) is available to Georgia residents who are working towards a certificate or diploma (continuing education programs are not eligible) at an eligible college or university in Georgia.
Georgia's Zell Miller Grant is available to Georgia residents who are working towards a certificate or diploma at a Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) or University System of Georgia (USG) institution.
The GAFutures Website has information on many additional state-based scholarship and grant programs that our scholars may be eligible for.