In the fall, IA hosted an information session on financial aid that was presented by the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC). The following are resources from that meeting.
Focus on one or two scholarship websites/apps to make the process more manageable. Naviance, Gafutures.org, Scholly.com and Scholaroo.com are great options to search for scholarships geared toward your interests.
Remember that many colleges and universities offer merit-based scholarships during the application process. Merit scholarships may be given out automatically to students who meet a specific GPA and test score criteria or awarded through a formal application process.
Look at local scholarships offered through civic organizations or local businesses.
HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships are provided to students who are Georgia residents and have demonstrated academic achievement. This money goes toward paying all or a portion of a student's tuition at a public State of Georgia institution and some private Georgia-based institutions. To find out more about HOPE eligibility, visit the GAfutures website.
Students must provide a valid Social Security Number to be considered for the HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships. When you login to GAfutures, the system will be unable to calculate your HOPE GPA to determine eligibility unless you have submitted a valid Social Security Card and number to the counseling office. The Georgia Student Finance Commission uses the Social Security Number to link to the transcript.
The FAFSA (Federal Application for Federal Student Aid) is a free application and must be completed to qualify for federal financial aid. This form must be completed every year. You must complete either the FAFSA or the GSFAPP (Georgia Student Finance Application) to be eligible for the HOPE scholarship.
GSFAPP (Georgia Student Finance Application) is one of the forms you can use to apply for HOPE and the Zell Miller scholarship. This application only needs to be completed once every 10 years. This application submits your information for the HOPE and Zell scholarships but does not qualify you for any federal financial aid.
Georgia Student Finance Commission Providing Financial Aid Sessions
Do you need help filling out the FAFSA? Have questions about financial aid? Attend a financial aid/FAFSA event at your local library. A Georgia Student Finance Commission representative will be available to help you.
Thursday, August 1, 2024
11:00am – 1:00pm Roswell Public Library
115 Norcross St., Roswell GA 30075
Tuesday, August 13, 2024
6:00pm – 7:00pm Northeast Spruill Oaks Library
9560 Spruill Rd., Johns Creek GA 30022
