Group presents six ways to improve HOPE funding for Georgia students

Just days before Georgia lawmakers return Monday for this year’s legislative session, an education group released a report Friday outlining six ways to leverage Georgia’s HOPE college scholarship program to help more students.

The Georgia Budget & Policy Institute's recommendations are:

create need-based aid. Georgia, the report said, is one of only two states that lacks broad need-based financial aid. Such a commitment would cost Georgia $211 million, the report said.
help more students pursuing associate degrees get the scholarship. Only 18 percent of associate's degree students receive a HOPE scholarship, according to the report.
remove the seven-year time limit on HOPE scholarships. The report notes more older students are pursuing degrees and need more time to complete their education.
offer funds from HOPE to help fill tuition gaps for technical college students.
more work-study programs for students with financial needs.
completion grants that help pay for college costs while a student is enrolled and making academic progress.

Gov. Nathan Deal has said he wants to expand the HOPE Career Grant to include tech college students taking courses in five more fields: automotive technology, aviation, construction, electrical line work and logistics.

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About the Author

Eric Stirgus

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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