Frequently Asked Question
HOPE Scholarship and HOPE Grant
Do I have to apply for HOPE?
Yes. Regardless of
whether you were a final HOPE Scholar from high school or you
received HOPE at another institution, you must either complete
the FAFSA or a HOPE application.
How do I apply for HOPE?
To apply for the HOPE Scholarship, you must (1) Complete the
GSFAPPS electronic application through this website,
(2) Complete the current year FAFSA (3) Complete a paper HOPE
Scholarship & Grant Application, printable at this website,
or (4) have completed an e-HOPE application in a previous year
and the application is still active. You must notify
the
Do I have to apply for HOPE every academic year?
If you previously completed a hard-copy HOPE application, a
previous year e-HOPE application or a GSFAPPS application, then
these applications will roll over every academic year. You will
need to have received the HOPE Scholarship or HOPE Grant within
the last 18 months for an application to be valid. If you
complete the FAFSA, you MUST complete it every academic year. An
academic year consists of Fall Semester, Spring Semester, and
Summer Semester. Fall always begins a new academic year at
What is the difference between the HOPE scholarship and
the HOPE grant?
The HOPE scholarship is available to
students enrolled in a degree program of study who meet the
grade point average requirements, as well as all other
eligibility requirements. The HOPE grant is for eligible
students enrolled in an eligible certificate program of study
who are taking courses required for completion of that
certificate program.
Do I have to be enrolled full-time to receive HOPE?
No, you do not have to be enrolled full-time to receive the HOPE
Grant or the HOPE Scholarship. If you are enrolled less than
half-time, your book allowance will be reduced to $75.
I am a transfer student. What do I need to do to receive
HOPE?
You must make sure that FINAL academic
transcripts from every institution that you have attended since
high school have been mailed to the Clayton State University Registrar’s
Office. This requirement applies to all previously attended
institutions regardless of whether Clayton State University accepted the
hours for transfer credit. If you believe that you are HOPE
eligible as a transfer student, you must email the Financial Aid
Office at
FinancialAid@clayton.edu and request that we review you for
HOPE. This cannot be done until ALL final transcripts have been
received.
How can I check my HOPE GPA?
After logging onto the Duck, go to:
- Main Menu
- Academic and Financial Information for Students
- Registration
- Student Academic History
- HOPE GPA is listed under "Academic Information".
Why is there a difference between the GPA that I see on
the DUCK and my HOPE GPA?
Your HOPE GPA includes ALL
courses that you have ever attempted regardless of whether
Clayton State accepted the courses for credit. Learning support
classes are also included in your HOPE GPA but not in your
institutional GPA.
When are the HOPE Scholarship checkpoints?
You
will be checked for HOPE eligibility at your 30th, 60th, and
90th attempted hours AND at the end of each Spring Semester.
Can I lose my HOPE eligibility before I reach a HOPE
checkpoint?
Yes. HOPE recipients must meet the
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards used by Clayton
State, regardless of whether or not the student has reached a
HOPE checkpoint. The SAP policy can be found
here.
If I lose my Hope Scholarship eligibility, can I get it
back?
Yes. Students have an opportunity to regain the
HOPE Scholarship after they attempt 30 semester hours, 60
semester hours or 90 semester hours of study with a 3.00
cumulative HOPE GPA. Students cannot regain HOPE eligibility
beyond the 90th hour checkpoint.
Is there a limit to how many hours HOPE will cover?
Yes. You will no longer be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship when:
- You have attempted 127 hours regardless of whether HOPE paid for those hours.
- You have received a bachelor’s degree
- HOPE has paid for 127 hours (these paid hours include HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and the HOPE Accel programs)
You will no longer be eligible for the HOPE Grant when:
- HOPE Grant has paid for 63 semester hours. Hours for which a student received the HOPE Grant prior to Summer 2003 are not counted as HOPE paid hours.
- HOPE has paid for 127 hours (these paid hours include HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and the HOPE Accel programs)
What about Hope for transient students?
Clayton
State University students who are eligible for HOPE and plan to attend
another school must contact the Clayton State University Financial Aid
Office. Students who are enrolled at another school but want to
attend Clayton State University should contact their school’s Financial Aid
Office.
Where can I get additional information on the HOPE
programs?
Additional information can be found at the
GAcollege411.