Scholarships in Georgia make earning a degree in the Peach State more affordable. You may receive awards if you are a state resident and/or attending a GA college. You may receive a scholarship based on unmet financial need or merit. It is helpful to submit the FAFSA in order to find out how much financial aid you qualify for. Don’t forget to include info about your grades and ACT/SAT scores in your scholarship application.
There are plenty of scholarships in Georgia for high school seniors and college students. In fact, many Georgia scholarship opportunities come from 138 two year and four year colleges. That includes some of the state’s largest schools. University of Georgia, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Emory and Kennesaw State University offer college scholarships in GA. These schools typically send a financial aid letter if you qualify.
Some of these schools also offer awards related to specific majors. The Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation Scholarship is one. It is for Christian female students majoring in the health professions. Applicants must also show financial need. At Emory University, these awards go to both undergraduate and graduate students who qualify. Recipients may receive up to $10,000 in renewable funds.
Different professional groups also offer scholarship funds. The American Welding Society (AWS) offers a few. One award is the $5,000 Jerry Baker Scholarship. It is available to U.S. undergraduate students. If you plan to apply, you must be at least 18 years old and pursuing a welding or engineering tech bachelor’s degree. Priority also goes to applicants who live or go to school in Alabama, Florida or Georgia.
10 Georgia Scholarships You Should Apply for in 2024
Check out these scholarships in Georgia to achieve your goals of pursuing higher education. Try to apply before the application deadline.
University of North Georgia Military Scholarship
GA Public Safety Memorial Grant
Georgia Tech President’s Scholarship
GA Military College State Service Scholarship Loan
Zell Miller Scholarship
GA HERO Scholarship for Spouses/Children
GSCPA Educational Foundation Scholarship Program
Airgas Terry Jarvis Scholarship
GA Future Champions Scholarship
Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant Program (TEG)
Are There Full Ride Scholarships in Georgia?
Some four year colleges in Georgia offer full ride scholarships to undergrads. These are merit awards that tend to pay tuition, fees, room and board and even a stipend. Many are renewable if an applicant keeps up the terms.
The Georgia Tech President’s Scholarship is a full ride award. It pays for tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, books and personal expenses. These renewable awards (ranging from $5,400 to $72,000) go to about 40 new first year outstanding students each academic year. To qualify you must have excellent grades, leadership, and a record of service.
Georgia State University also offers a full ride scholarship to new first year students. The Presidential Scholarship awards up to $28,000 per year depending on in/out of state student status. It covers tuition, mandatory fees and housing. It also provides a yearly living expense stipend and one time $2,500 stipend. Recipients also have the opportunity to complete for a paid University Assistantship and access to mentoring.
Could Out of State Students Apply for Georgia College Scholarships?
Many scholarships in Georgia for out of state students do not require residency. These may be useful since out of state tuition is higher than in state. NCES listed the average tuition and fees of a public four year GA college at $7,206 (in state) and $21,957 (out of state).
University of Georgia has a range of merit and need based scholarships that out of state full time students may apply for. The Classic Scholarship is for non Georgian residents. It offers up to $9,520 per year and is renewable. You also must be an out of state student with strong academics and maintain a 3.0 GPA.
How Much Do Georgia Colleges Cost?
According to the NCES, a college education at a 4 year public Georgia college costs an avg. of $17,705 per year. Private 4 year colleges in GA cost more with average of $27,813. The state also has a number of community colleges with avg. $2,901 in state tuition per year.
What Georgia State Financial Aid Programs Help Pay for College?
Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) offers several scholarships and grants to make college in GA more affordable. Their awards are typically for Georgia residents. State aid programs include the HOPE program, military programs, and Zell Miller grant. Also, many GA colleges may give these types of financial assistance.
How Do You Qualify for the HOPE Scholarship in Georgia?
The HOPE Scholarship is available to qualifying legal GA residents. It helps students pay for an undergraduate degree at a Hope eligible postsecondary school in GA. The award is based on academic achievement. Recipients must graduate from high school with at least 3.0 GPA.
Eligible applicants must meet basic and program eligibility such as:
Be a United States citizen or eligible non citizen
Meet enrollment requirements
Comply with selective service registration rules
Meet standards for academics
Be in good standing on all student loans or other financial aid programs
Comply with the Georgia Drug Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990
Not have exceeded the maximum award limits for any HOPE program
Be enrolled as a degree seeking college student in a public or private HOPE eligible GA college / university
Meet “academic rigor requirements” which are a specific set of courses
The HOPE scholarship program pays standard tuition based on 15 semester hours. But award amounts vary at each eligible technical college, private and public 4 year college in GA. For example, if you’re attending Georgia State University, the Hope Award comes up to $3,840 for 15 semester hours.
This scholarship is available for high school juniors and seniors in Hillsborough County, Florida who are planning to major in engineering at Georgia Tech.
High school seniors and transfer students who are not residents of Idaho and are planning to enroll at Lewis-Clark State College for the first time are eligible for this award. Students must have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and must plan to enroll full time.
This award is available for U.S. undergraduate students who are residents of Georgia and plan to attend a college/university in the state of Georgia. Students must also be majoring in journalism.
This award is available for U.S. and Canadian undergraduate students who are 18 years of age or older and are pursuing welding or engineering technology degrees. Students must have a minimum GPA 2.8 or a minimum 3.0 GPA in engineering courses. Priority is given to those residing or attending school in Alabama, Georgia or Florida.
This award is for U.S. students majoring in environmental health who are enrolled in an approved college/university that is accredited by the Environmental Health Accreditation Council or is a NEHA Educational or Sustaining Member School. For a current list of accredited environmental health programs, please visit www.ehacoffice.org.
This award is available for currently enrolled U.S. college sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students. Students must be pursuing a degree in music therapy or interning for music therapy, and must attend a school accredited by the American Music Therapy Association.
This award is available for U.S. and Canadian undergraduate students who are 18 years of age or older. Students, attending school or living in Alabama, Georgia or Florida, pursuing careers in welding engineering or welding engineering technology. An overall minimum GPA of 2.8 or a minimum GPA of 3.0 in all engineering courses is required.
Residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, or Texas who are graduating high school seniors currently bowling in a USBC-sanctioned league are eligible for this award. Students must have bowled in a sanctioned USBC league for three out of four years in high school and 75% of the league schedule. Students must have a grade point average of 2.5 or higher and an SAT/ACT score of 950/20 or higher.
U.S. high school seniors who have been involved with Becca’s Closet are eligible to apply for this award. Students must enroll full time and have an unweighted grade point average of 2.0 or higher.