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Zell Miller Scholarship Program

The Zell Miller Scholarship Program is a merit-based scholarship program with specific academic and grade point average eligibility requirements. The purpose of the Zell Miller Scholarship Program is to encourage the academic achievement of Georgia's high school students and Georgians seeking Degrees from postsecondary institutions located in Georgia. An eligible student seeking a Degree from a University System of Georgia or Technical College System of Georgia institution may receive Zell Miller Scholarship funds covering the Standard Undergraduate Tuition amount. The Zell Miller Scholarship Program for students attending Georgia's Eligible Postsecondary Institutions was created beginning with the 2011-2012 Award Year (State Fiscal Year 2012), with awards first available for Fall term 2011. The program is fully funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission.

  • Students are eligible for the Zell Miller Scholarship as an incoming freshman:
    • Having graduated from an eligible high school with a grade point average of at least 3.7 as calculated by Georgia Student Finance Commission and having received a score of at least 1,200 combined critical reading score and math score on a single administration of the SAT or an ACT score of at least 26; or
    • Having graduated from an eligible high school as the valedictorian or salutatorian; or
    • Having completed a home study program meeting the HOPE eligibility requirements, having received a score of at least 1,200 combined critical reading score and math score on a single administration of the SAT or an ACT composite scale score of at least 26, and earning a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.3 at eligible postsecondary institution at the end of the quarter or semester in which the student has attempted 45 quarter hours or 30 semester hours, provided that such student shall be eligible to receive a retroactive scholarship for such student's freshman year to be paid at the end of the freshman year.
  • A student must maintain a 3.3 grade point average in college to maintain the Zell Miller Scholar program. If the student falls below a 3.3 grade point average, they remain eligible for the regular HOPE Scholarship if the student's GPA is still a 3.0 or above.
  • A student meeting the requirements to be a Zell Miller Scholar must also meet all the requirements to be a HOPE Scholar.
  • If a student loses eligibility for the Zell Miller Scholar program for any reason, they may regain that eligibility one time.

The Zell Miller Scholar Program will pay: At an eligible public postsecondary institution, 100% of the standard tuition charges.

If you apply for HOPE or the Zell Miller Scholarship using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you must complete the FAFSA each year. The FAFSA must be completed on or before the last day of the school term or your withdrawal date for that term, whichever occurs first.