As expected, a bipartisan group of lawmakers filed a bill that would allow more technical college students to qualify for the HOPE Grant.
House Bill 372 would make students eligible for the award if they maintain a 2.0 grade-point average. That’s down from the current 3.0 mandate and a return to the rule that existed before lawmakers overhauled the HOPE program in 2011 to prevent it from going broke.
Gov. Nathan Deal backed the change earlier this month in response to criticism that too many were dropping out of the Technical College System of Georgia or avoiding enrolling because of higher standards.
Nearly 9,000 students lost the grant last year because they couldn’t meet the GPA requirement.
The bill was filed by Rep. Christian Coomer, R-Cartersville, one of Deal’s floor leaders. Other sponsors include Rep. Stacey Evans, D-Smyrna.
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