Georgia guide
HOPE and Zell Miller, explained.
Georgia’s two big merit scholarships use their own GPA and their own rules. Here’s exactly what each one requires, how the state counts your HOPE GPA, and what it takes to keep it in college.
By Lokesh Pampatti, founder of Clarity Prep · Updated October 18, 2026
What each one requires
| What you need | HOPE | Zell Miller |
|---|---|---|
| HOPE GPA at graduation | 3.0 | 3.7 |
| Test score | None | 1200 SAT or 25 ACT, one sitting |
| Rigor credits | 4 | 4 |
| Valedictorian or salutatorian | – | Qualifies with a 3.0 |
| College GPA to keep it | 3.0 | 3.3 |
You also need to graduate from an eligible (accredited) high school and meet the basic rules on residency and citizenship. The ACT number for Zell follows the College Board and ACT concordance and can change each January.
How the HOPE GPA is counted
- Only core classes count: English, math, science, social studies and world language, from 9th through 12th grade. Starting with the class of 2027, some state-approved advanced fine arts classes count too.
- No plus or minus: A = 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0.
- AP, IB and dual enrollment core classes add 0.5 to a B, C, D or F. An A stays at 4.0, and honors classes get no extra weight.
- Every attempt counts: retake a class and both grades are in the average.
- Nothing is rounded: a 2.99 doesn’t become a 3.0.
| Grade | Regular or honors | AP, IB or dual enrollment |
|---|---|---|
| A (any + or –) | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| B (any + or –) | 3.0 | 3.5 |
| C (any + or –) | 2.0 | 2.5 |
| D (any + or –) | 1.0 | 1.5 |
| F (any + or –) | 0.0 | 0.5 |
Rigor credits
Both scholarships need at least four full credits from Georgia’s academic rigor list before you graduate: advanced math or advanced science classes, world language, and AP, IB or dual enrollment core classes. Your high school publishes which of its classes count, and your GAfutures account shows the credits you’ve earned.
What it pays
Both pay toward tuition at eligible Georgia colleges. The state sets the award amounts each year and they depend on the college, so check GAfutures for this year’s numbers at the colleges you’re considering.
Questions
What GPA do you need for the HOPE Scholarship?
A 3.0 HOPE GPA when you graduate from an eligible high school, plus four rigor credits. The HOPE GPA counts only core classes and is calculated by the state, so it can differ from the GPA on your report card.
What do you need for the Zell Miller Scholarship?
A 3.7 HOPE GPA, four rigor credits, and a 1200 SAT or a 25 ACT from a single test date before you graduate (the ACT number applies to students graduating after December 31, 2023, and follows the yearly SAT/ACT concordance). Valedictorians and salutatorians qualify with a 3.0 HOPE GPA.
Does the HOPE GPA round up?
No. A 2.99 stays a 2.99 and doesn’t meet the 3.0.
Do honors classes count extra for HOPE?
No. Only AP, IB and dual enrollment core classes get extra weight, and only on a B, C, D or F: an A stays a 4.0.
Can you earn Zell Miller in college if you missed it in high school?
Not if you graduated from an eligible high school without it: GAfutures says students who weren’t academically eligible for Zell Miller at graduation can’t gain it in college. HOPE is different: students can earn it at a college checkpoint (30, 60 or 90 semester hours) with a 3.0 college GPA.
When can I see my HOPE GPA?
Your high school sends transcript data to the state, and you can check your calculated HOPE GPA in your GAfutures account starting in 10th grade.
Planning for HOPE or Zell?
A Clarity Prep mentor in Atlanta helps you pick classes that count for rigor, plan the SAT or ACT, and build a college list, with a weekly check-in until applications are in.