Georgia Student Finance Commission - Go to the Georgia Student Finance Commission website for comprehensive information on Georgia Financial Aid Programs.

Grants: Money available for college that does not have to be repaid. Awards may be based on financial need, past academic performance, service to the community or special areas of study. Example: HOPE Grant

GSFC (Georgia Student Finance Commission): helps students achieve their educational goals by administering financial aid programs and advocating for Georgia students on issues related to financing higher education. GSFC administers the HOPE program as well as other state-and lottery-funded scholarships, grants and service cancelable loans.  

HOPE Career Grant: formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant (SIWDG), is available to Georgia residents who are pursuing a certificate or diploma and eligible for, and receiving, HOPE Grant or Zell Miller Grant funding. The grant provides assistance toward educational costs for eligible students enrolled in an approved designated program of study.

HOPE Grant: available to Georgia residents who are pursuing a certificate or diploma. A HOPE Grant recipient must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative postsecondary grade point average to remain eligible. The grant provides tuition assistance to students enrolled at a HOPE Grant eligible college or university in Georgia.

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 3.0 core GPA and maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative postsecondary GPA 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 seven-year limit exists for students first receiving the HOPE Scholarship during the 2011-2012 academic year (FY12) or later.

Military Programs: Money available for college that does not have to be repaid if certain conditions are met such as military service. Example: Georgia Military College State Service Scholarship

Scholarships: Money for college that does not have to be repaid. Awards may be based on past academic performance, special areas of study, academic excellence or other criteria. Example: Zell Miller Scholarship

Service-Cancelable Loans: Student loans that will not have to be repaid if certain conditions are met, such as working in a particular field or military service. Example: Scholarship for Engineering Education for Minorities (MSEE)

Student Loans: Unlike a grant, a loan must be repaid. Loans should be used primarily to meet a gap in your educational cost (tuition, room and board, textbooks). Usually, students begin paying back their loans at the end of a grace period that begins once they have completed their education. Example: Student Access Loan (SAL)

Tuition Reimbursement: Many employers will offer tuition assistance or reimbursement if you choose to work for them during college, or make a committment to work at a company after college. Some employers include McDonalds, Starbucks, and Chick-fil-a.

Zell Miller Grant: merit-based program available to Georgia residents pursuing a certificate or diploma. A Zell Miller Grant recipient must maintain a minimum 3.5 cumulative postsecondary grade point average to remain eligible. Eligible students are provided full-standard tuition assistance while enrolled at a Zell Miller Grant eligible college or university in Georgia.