Georgia provides $118 million to college students with financial need 

Last year, the State of Georgia awarded students with financial need more than $118 million in scholarships and grants through the HOPE and LEAP programs.  

“Georgia is a national leader in offering financial aid to students,” said Shelley Nickel, president of the Georgia Student Finance Commission, the agency that administers the state’s school financial aid programs. “I am pleased that so much of that aid is helping students with financial needs achieve their higher education dreams.” In the 2003-2004 academic year: 

• The HOPE Scholarship program awarded over $76 million to more than 31,000 students who also received the Pell Grant, the federal program which serves students with demonstrated financial need. HOPE scholarships are merit based, and are awarded to eligible students enrolled in degree programs at Georgia colleges.  

• The HOPE Grant program awarded $41.2 million to more than 41,500 Pell recipients. HOPE grants are awarded to Georgia residents enrolled in certificate or diploma programs.  

• $1.46 million was awarded through Georgia’s Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (LEAP) program. LEAP, a state grant program that draws federal matching funds, also awards college students with financial need.  

“HOPE was designed to help students from all income brackets,” said Nickel. “The fact is, however, 32 percent of all HOPE recipients are from low-income families.  That’s a huge investment in the future of some of Georgia’s most motivated young people.” 

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