Student Catalog - Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

participating in Joint Enrollment, rather than Dual CreditEnrollment.The HOPE Scholarship program, also funded by theGeorgia Lottery for Education and administered by theGeorgia Student Finance Commission, is a merit-basedscholarship program with specific academic and grade pointaverage (GPA) requirements, for students seeking associatedegree level programs. The HOPE Scholarship providesfinancial assistance to qualified students who previouslygraduated from a HOPE-eligible high school or completeda HOPE-eligible home study program since 1993. Enteringfreshmen graduating with college preparatory curriculummust have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA on a 4.00scale in order to meet the academic requirements as a HOPEScholar, and career/technology curriculum track graduatesmust have a minimum of a 3.20 cumulative GPA on a 4.00scale. The student’s GPA is reported by the high school to theGeorgia Student Finance Commission by July 1 of each year.A student who, in 1997 or later, graduated from a highschool that is not an eligible high school or completed ahome study program that is not an eligible home studyprogram, may receive HOPE Scholarship payment as anentering freshman if such student earns a 3.00 PostsecondaryCumulative GPA after having accumulated 30 semesteror 45 quarter attempted-hours of degree credit and meetsall other HOPE Scholarship requirements, including GPAcheckpoints.A student who graduates from an ineligible high schoolcompletes an ineligible home study program or earned aGED diploma that was awarded by the Technical CollegeSystem of Georgia after June 30, 1993, may qualify forthe HOPE Scholarship as an entering college freshman ifsuch student earns a score from a single test administrationin or above the national composite 85th percentile on astandardized test such as the SAT or ACT tests.Eligibility for the HOPE Scholarship is determinedin the Registrar’s Office by designated staff. Applicationsfor HOPE Scholarship evaluation must be submitted to theRegistrar’s Office. Official transcripts must be receivedfrom all previously attended post-secondary schools priorto the HOPE Scholarship evaluation being processed. Allprevious degree level course work counts in a student’sattempted-hours and towards their GPA. Students may berequired to provide additional residency verification forHOPE Scholarship. (See Georgia Residency Requirementssection below for more information on residency eligibilityrequirements.)Eligible students receive first-year HOPE assistancefor the first 45 quarter hours attempted. HOPE Scholarshipeligibility is checked at the 45th, 90th, and 135th quarterhour marks, called tiers, to see if the student is still meetingHOPE Scholarship standards. Additionally, GPA is checkedat the end of each spring quarter. If the student loses theHOPE Scholarship at the first check point due to GPAdropping below 3.0, he or she is eligible to reapply forHOPE Scholarship at the 90th or 135th attempted quarterhour mark, provided the cumulative GPA is a 3.0. Regardlessof the funding source, once a degree seeking student hasattempted 190 quarter (127 semester) hours of degree credit,or has received any combination of HOPE Scholarship,HOPE Grant and/or Accel Program payment for a combinedtotal of 190 quarter (124 semester hours), or has earned abaccalaureate (four-year) degree, the student is no longereligible for the HOPE Scholarship/Grant program.For complete regulations and definitions regardingthe HOPE Scholarship/Grant program, go online to,https://www.gsfc.org/gsfcnew/SandG_regs_2009.cfm, orgacollege411.org, or call the customer contact center at1-800-505-GSFC (4732) or (770) 724-9000 in Metro Atlanta.GSFC’s mailing address is 2082 East Exchange Place,Tucker, Georgia, 30084.Georgia Leveraging Educational Assistance PartnershipGrant Program (LEAP)LEAP is a campus-based grant that provides aid toresidents of Georgia who demonstrate substantial financialneed of at least $2,000. The award amount is contingentupon the availability of LEAP funding.Other Financial AssistanceWIA Workforce Investment ActThe Workforce Investment Act (WIA) is a federalgrant program that pays training costs for economicallydisadvantaged individuals and dislocated workers. Trainingcosts can include tuition, books, insurance, tools, anduniforms. In addition, a stipend is available to help defraythe cost of childcare and transportation. The WIA grant maybe received in conjunction with Pell and HOPE Grants.Applicants must complete the assessment and eligibilityprocess at Wiregrass Georgia Tech’s WIA Office in Building100, Room 111B or meet with the WIA representativeassigned to each campus location.Veterans BenefitsWiregrass Georgia Technical College is approved forveterans’ training under U.S. Code 38. Eligible personsshould complete an application through their local orregional Veterans’ Administration (VA) Office. The VAcoordinator in the Financial Aid Office is available toassist applicants in filing for educational benefits. Studentsreceiving financial assistance from the VA are personally41