Senior Schedules & Senior News Updates HOPE GPA

Reading Your HOPE Transcript In front of you is a sheet titled “Understanding the Detailed Student Calculation Report” and attached to that is a copy of your HOPE transcript. Look at your HOPE transcript: 1. The 1st column displays the number of courses you’ve taken through last semester. 2. The 2nd column has one* for each course that does not count towards your HOPE GPA. 3. The 3rd and 4th columns display the year and term you took classes. 4. The 5th column displays the course number. 5. The sixth column displays the name of the class.

Reading Your HOPE Transcript 6. The 7th column shows all HOPE classes attempted. 7. The 8 th column will probably be blank. 8. The 9 th column shows the numerical grade you received in every class you took. 9. The next column shows your un-weighted numerical grade. 10. The next column shows your un-weighted numerical grade converted to an un-weighted GPA grade.

Reading Your HOPE Transcript 11. The next column shows any weight that was awarded for an AP class. 12. The next column shows the GPA with the weight added. 13. The final column repeats the same thing. 15. At the bottom of the 2 nd page of your transcript you will find the total number of classes that count towards your HOPE GPA and the total number of GPA points you received.

Calculating Your HOPE GPA Your HOPE GPA is the number of points earned divided by the number of classes attempted (this includes failed classes). For instance, if you have taken a total of 20 classes that count towards HOPE and your GPA column equals 60, your current GPA is 3.0.

Calculating Your HOPE GPA Your preliminary HOPE GPA is indicated near the top of the first page of your transcript under Student ID information. Note: If you do not have the last 4 digits of your SSN# shown next to your ID data, then you will not have a HOPE GPA. This means we do not have a copy of your SS card on file and you need to get a copy to Ms. Cirmotich right away.

Calculating Your HOPE GPA If you are an ACCEL student, but don’t show any grades for last semester, we haven’t received your transcript. Year-long classes will be posted at the end of the year. If you are on the cusp of a 3.0, it will be important to make good grades in all academic classes this semester!

REQUIRED COURSES Now, look at the classes taken by subject: English – You should have Lit 9 and American Lit or AP Language which are required plus 2 more English classes, either Lit 10 or World Lit and either British Lit or AP Lit. You may be in your 4 th English class this semester. Science – You should have a biological science (Biology) and a physical science (Physical Science or Physics) plus 2 more science classes.

REQUIRED COURSES Math – If you plan to attend college, you should have either Math I, Math II, Math III and Math IV or Math I Support/Math I, Math II Support/Math II and Math III Support/Math III or Acc. Math I, Acc. Math II, Acc. Math III and an AP or college Math class. If you will not be attending college, you can graduate with Math I Support/Math I and Math II Support/Math II. This may not be sufficient for the military however.

REQUIRED COURSES Social Studies – The following Social Studies classes are required: World History, U.S. History, Government and Economics. If you took Geography or another Social Studies class, it will count toward a Social Studies elective and towards your HOPE GPA. Foreign Language – Colleges in Georgia require students to have 2 credits in the same language; Sign Language counts. You may be able to get into CCGA and some schools outside of GA with one.

REQUIRED COURSES Personal Fitness & Health – are required by all students graduating from Georgia schools. Electives – Students must have a total of four electives in Foreign Language or Fine Arts or Career classes. Any combination of the above is acceptable. Now, make sure you have either taken these requirements already of will finish with them this semester!

FINANCIAL AID AND THE FAFSA …Do it soon FAFSA (Free Application for Federal StudentAid) Students hoping to receive scholarships and/or financial aid, including HOPE will need to complete the FAFSA online. The link to the FAFSA is on my website under "Financial Aid.” You can also access it through GACollege411 under the Financial Aid tab. Completing the FAFSA requires parents and students to report income from the previous year.

FINANCIAL AID AND THE FAFSA …Do it soon The FAFSA needs to be updated each year while students are in college in order for them to continue to receive aid and/or scholarships. The FAFSA should be submitted by the end of February. Colleges that are listed by the student will receive the information from the FAFSA and will offer students need based awards if they are eligible.

THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP Transcripts for all seniors are downloaded to the Georgia Student Finance Commission, who oversees the HOPE Scholarship after the first semester of the senior year. A preliminary HOPE eligibility report is created based on GPA's at that time. Final transcripts are downloaded at the end of the senior year and a final eligibility report is created at that time. Colleges determine who is eligible for HOPE when they receive these lists.

THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP Eligibility for HOPE is a 3.0 GPA in academic classes. AP classes are awarded an extra.5 quality point up to a 4.0. No quality points are added for ACCEL classes. Students qualifying for HOPE have 90% of their tuition covered. To qualify for the Zell Miller Scholarship, students must have a 3.7 GPA in academic classes and a 600 in Reading and Math on the SAT or a 26 in English and Math on the ACT.

THE HOPE SCHOLARSHIP To qualify for the Zell Miller Scholarship, students must have a 3.7 GPA in academic classes and a 600 in Reading and Math on the SAT or a 26 in English and Math on the ACT. Students receiving the Zell Miller Scholarship have 100% of their tuition covered. Students are responsible for the cost of room and board, books and fees. More information is available on GACollege411 (

FINANCIAL AIDPRESENTATION Mark your calendars for February 11 at 6:00 in the GA Auditorium. Carol Lott from Georgia Student Finance Commission will be presenting information on FAFSA and HOPE.

Scholarships Approaching Deadlines: Columbus State Servant/Leadership-1/31 Forestry Pageant - 1/31 WACE National Co-op Scholarship -Feb 15 Marshland Credit Union Scholarship-Feb. 15

WEBSITE PLEASE GO TO MY WEBSITE TO REVIEW THE LATEST NEWSFLASH AND THE SCHOLARSHIP PAGE.