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State Grants

Grants are financial aid allowances that do not normally need to be repaid. GNTC offers both federally-funded grants and state-funded grants.

Common General Eligibility Requirements

All aid programs have general eligibility requirements that must be met to qualify for those specific aid funds. Common eligibility requirements for state aid programs are:

  • Complete a financial aid application
    • If you are interested in applying for both state and federal aid, then you would need to complete both the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Georgia Student Financial Aid Application (GSFAPP).
    • If you are interested in applying for state aid only, then you may complete the Georgia Student Financial Aid Application (GSFAPP) instead. The GSFAPP does not require tax or income information and is valid for ten years if completed.
  • You may visit How to Apply for Financial Aid for additional information on applying.
  • The student must be a US citizen or an eligible non-citizen
    • If you are an eligible non-citizen, you must submit a copy of your permanent resident card to the Financial Aid Office. You must be both a permanent resident of the United States for at least 24 months and a Georgia resident for 24 months after establishing permanent residency with the United States.
  • The student must be a resident of Georgia for at least 24 months before starting classes if establishing residency. For students who are re-establishing residency, the residence must be re-established for at least 12 months before the start of classes.
  • If a student is a Male and born after 1960, he must be registered with the Selective Service.
  • The student must not owe any repayments on previous grants or scholarships
  • The student must not be in default on a federal loan
  • The student cannot have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher
  • The student must be taking classes within his/her program of study
  • The student must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
     

Brief descriptions of the types of state aid and general requirements unique to their specific fund group are listed below. State aid regulations are subject to change. For complete details on state aid program regulations please visit GSFC. Students may also track HOPE/Zell Miller Grant Academic Eligibility online. 

HOPE Grant

HOPE stands for Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally and is a state-funded program awarded to Georgia residents enrolled in a certificate or diploma program who maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative postsecondary GPA. As of the 24-25 aid year, the grant pays for 93.45% of the tuition costs only and does not include the $366 in fees. As long as eligibility is maintained, qualifying students may receive the HOPE Grant until they reach the Grant Award Limit. 

HOPE Career Grant

The HOPE Career Grant is state-funded. The HOPE Career Grant is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. These industries have been identified as strategically important to the state’s economic growth. Please check the HOPE Career Grant flyer for more information on eligible programs. For information on payment amounts, view Award Amounts for the HOPE Career Grant.

Zell Miller Grant

Georgia’s Zell Miller Grant is available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement. The grant pays 100% of the tuition rate for certificate and diploma-seeking students. The tuition rate does not include the $366 fee.

Zell Miller Grant follows the same guidelines as the HOPE Grant with the exception that the GPA requirement to qualify for the Zell Miller Grant is a 3.5 GPA. Students may receive Zell Miller Grant funds as long as they maintain eligibility requirements until they reach the Zell Miller Grant Award Limit.