Financial Aid and Scholarships

While the college planning process may seem a bit overwhelming, it is also an exciting time to start thinking about your interests and planning for your future. This webpage provides a one-stop shop as a your resource for planning for college and guiding you in the steps along the way. We hope that this site provides you with the things you need to know about college planning, choosing a school, financing your education, and completing your college applications.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Avoid the Debt!!

Tip #1. Educate Yourself on the Different Types of Financial Aid

Financial aid can come from various sources, from the federal and state governments to colleges to community organizations. Each source sets their own unique criteria for eligibility. It is important to know the difference between the different types. Review the presentation to the left for more info!

Tip #2: Complete the FAFSA

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This application is a mandatory requirement for getting any type of federal, state and institutional aid and some scholarships. It is the first step to the financial aid process. The FAFSA is available every year on October 1.

Tip #3: Explore Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships are a great way to reduce the cost of attending college. There are many types of scholarships available and the best part is that you do not need to return the money. Review the presentation to the left for more information.

Click on the images to download the document or open the links.

FAFSA RESOURCES

What is FAFSA?

Changes to the FAFSA

Starting the FAFSA

Get Help With the FAFSA

Embark on a stress-free financial aid journey! 📚💰

Georgia Southern University is hosting FAFSA Fridays to help students complete the application. Get personalized 1-on-1 assistance in completing your 2024/2025 FAFSA. Don't miss this opportunity to secure your financial future.

Members of the Financial Aid Office will also be available at MEGAGENISIS on February 24, 2024.

HOPE Scholarship

HOPE Scholarship is a merit-based award available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. A HOPE Scholarship recipient must graduate from high school with a minimum 3.00 grade point average (as calculated by GSFC) and maintain a minimum 3.00 cumulative postsecondary grade point average to remain eligible. The scholarship provides tuition assistance to students pursuing an undergraduate degree at a HOPE Scholarship eligible college or university in Georgia. A ten-year limit exists for students first receiving the HOPE Scholarship during summer term 2019 (FY20) or later.

Steps to Apply for the HOPE Scholarship

Meet all scholarship requirements
- Graduate from an eligible high school
- Have a minimum of 3.0 core GPA (only ELA, math, science, social studies and world language are calculated)
- Earn 4 credits in academic rigor courses.
Complete the FAFSA
Complete the Georgia Scholarship/Grant Application (GSFAPP) at www.gafutures.org. This application only has to be completed once and it remains active for ten years

Zell Miller Scholarship

The Zell Miller Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program available to Georgia residents pursuing higher education in Georgia who have demonstrated academic achievement. The Zell Miller scholarship provides full tuition funding to undergraduate Georgia residents. The requirements for the Zell Miller Scholarship include the following:

Georgia Residency: Must be a legal resident of the state of Georgia to be eligible for the Zell Miller Scholarship.
High School Graduation: Must graduate from an eligible Georgia high school with a minimum 3.7 GPA and meet the required standardized test score(s).
GPA Requirement: Must have a minimum 3.7 high school GPA as calculated by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC). This GPA is typically based on the “HOPE GPA,” which takes into account certain weighted courses.
Standardized Test Score: You must meet a specific SAT or ACT score requirement.
• SAT: A minimum score of 1200 on the SAT (math and evidence-based reading and writing sections) or a 26 on the ACT.
• Starting on January 1, 2024, the ACT requirement for the Zell Miller Scholarship will be a 25 rather than the previously required 26. This will only impact students who will graduate after January 1, 2024. Students who graduate in December 2023 will still have to have the 26 ACT score.
Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
Maintain Eligibility: To continue receiving the Zell Miller Scholarship in subsequent years, a student must maintain a minimum 3.3 college GPA at the checkpoints (30, 60, 90 attempted hours and every spring semester).