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Governor's Scholarship Program

Program Type

Merit-based Scholarship

Purpose

To recognize Georgia's high school Valedictorians and STAR Students and encourage them to attend a public or private college or university in Georgia by providing scholarship funds.

Eligibility

  1. Be selected as the Valedictorian or STAR Student from an eligible Georgia high school;
  2. Be enrolled as a full-time student in a Georgia public college or university within nine months following high school graduation;
  3. Cannot receive non-repayable aid which totals more than the college's cost of attendance;
  4. Be a legal resident of Georgia 12 months prior to receiving aid;
  5. Be a U.S. citizen or national of the U.S. or have evidence from INS of eligible permanent resident alien status;
  6. Be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements;
  7. Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990;
  8. Not be in default or owe a refund on a student financial aid program;
  9. Maintain satisfactory academic progress, a minimum 3.0 GPA is required;
  10. Must be enrolled in a degree seeking program.

Value

The maximum award amount is $900 per academic year. (Budgeted each year by the Georgia Legislature. The amount of the award may increase or decrease.)

Application Procedure

  1. Each eligible Valedictorian and STAR Student can apply online.
  2. Applicants must be certified by the Georgia College or University they will attend.
  3. The college's Financial Aid Office certifies the application and forwards it to GSFC electronically for processing.
  4. Renewal students must apply online each academic year. The eligibility is determined at the college level.

Other Information

One Valedictorian from the graduating class of each eligible high school in Georgia may apply for a Governor's Scholarship as an entering college freshman for each academic year. If an eligible high school has an exact tie for the honor of STAR Student, then more than one STAR Student from the high school may apply for a Governor's Scholarship as an entering college freshman.

The scholarship can be renewed for up to three additional years of undergraduate study. To renew each year, recipients must earn at least 30 semester hours for two semesters or 45 quarter hours for three quarters and have at least a 3.0 grade point average for those hours. (Note: Students must be enrolled full time (12 hours) to receive the scholarship in any semester or quarter in which they are applying for.)

You can read the official program regulations for full details about Governor's Scholarship Program guidelines, policies, and procedures.


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