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Clayton State University Financial Aid

HOPE Programs

Students 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.

HOPE Grant

The HOPE Grant is available to students regardless of high school graduation date or grade point average. To be eligible for the HOPE Grant, you must:

  • be a legal Georgia resident
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements
  • be enrolled in a certificate or diploma program

HOPE Scholarship

HOPE Scholarship for Freshman

The HOPE Scholarship is available to students who graduated from a Georgia High School in 1993 or sometime thereafter with at least a 3.0 grade point average. To be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship, you must:

  • be a legal Georgia resident
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements
  • be enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree program

HOPE Scholarship for Transfer/Returning Students

To be eligible for the HOPE Scholarship as a transfer/returning student, you must:

  • have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average at the End-of-Spring checkpoint (beginning with Spring 2005) AND the 30th, 60th, or 90th attempted hour including all college/university attempted hours
  • be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen
  • be a legal Georgia resident
  • be in compliance with Selective Service registration requirements
  • not be in default on any student loans

Students who have attempted 127 hours or more (including all college/university credit hours), OR who have already completed a baccalaureate (four-year) degree are not eligible for the HOPE Scholarship.

How to Apply for HOPE

Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) OR the GSFApps application to apply for any HOPE program.  Please view our HOPE Frequently Asked Questions. 

You can complete the FAFSA online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Please note that the web version guides you through the application and assists you in providing the right responses. Consequently, there are little or no errors with this method and therefore, no delays in processing your student aid. 

If you complete the GSFApps application at www.gacollege411.org, you MUST contact the Clayton State University Financial Aid Office at FinancialAid@clayton.edu. Your GSFApps application WILL NOT be processed if you do not contact our office.

The Financial Aid Office does not have printed copies of these applications, but you can download one from this link.  Paper applications must be submitted to GSFC as instructed on the application.

If you complete the HOPE Application, you can only be evaluated for the HOPE Scholarship or the HOPE Grant. You must complete the FAFSA if you would like to also be considered for any type of federal aid (Pell Grant, Stafford Loans, Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Work-Study, etc.).