Georgia’s HOPE scholarship would get more money and more recipients under two bills Georgia lawmakers passed Thursday.
The measures represent the biggest changes to the program used by nearly 200,000 Georgians annually since lawmakers last overhauled it in 2011.
House Bill 372 would reinstate the 2.0 grade-point average for technical college students to be eligible for the HOPE Grant. It responds to criticism that thousands of students lost the award because they were unable to meet the higher 3.0 standard lawmakers initiated when they overhauled the program two years ago.
Supporters estimate the lowered grade-point requirement would allow between 2,500 and 5,000 students to re-enroll in the grant program.
Students in the Technical College System of Georgia are typically older than traditional college students, and many work full time and support families while going to school.
Students would still need to maintain a 3.0 GPA for the HOPE Scholarship, which is mainly used by students in the University System of Georgia. Both awards cover most of in-state tuition.
House Bill 487 would transfer control and enforcement of video poker machines to the Georgia Lottery. Lottery revenue funds the HOPE program, and a share of the profits from video poker machines will also go to the scholarships and grants.
It’s too soon to say how much money HOPE would get from HB 487. The program has struggled financially for years, and lawmakers had to reduce award payouts for the scholarships and grants, and implement other changes to prevent it from running out of money. Students, parents and others have long lobbied for the state to find additional revenue.
Rep. Matt Ramsey, R-Peachtree City, sponsored the measure and said it would tackle the “major problem” of unregulated video poker.
The machines are legal as long as they don’t give cash payouts. The machines would be allowed to give vouchers for store merchandise and lottery tickets.
Both measures have Gov. Nathan Deal’s support and will move on to his desk for his approval.
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