A Strategic Approach
With 59 percent of Georgia State students coming from Pell-eligible households (where the annual household income last year was less than $30,000), the HOPE scholarship can be a mixed blessing. The scholarship provides access to college for thousands of Georgia State students, but for students who do not maintain a 3.0 college grade point average, the loss of HOPE often means they have to drop out for financial reasons.
In 2008, the graduation rates for students who lost the HOPE scholarship were only 20 percent, 40 points lower than the rates for those who hold on to it. Gaining the HOPE Scholarship back after losing it is a longshot: only about 9 percent of Georgia State students pull it off. Keep Hope Alive provides a $500 stipend for two semesters to students who have lost HOPE.
It’s an incentive for them to follow a rigorous academic restoration plan that includes meeting with advisers, attending workshops and participating in financial literacy training—all to help students improve their grade point averages and to regain the scholarship.
Since 2008, the program has helped to almost double the graduation rates of Georgia State students who lose the HOPE scholarship.
How it Works
By signing a contract to receive $500 for each of the first two semesters after losing the scholarship, students agree to participate in a series of programs and interventions designed to get them back on track academically and to make wise financial choices in the aftermath of losing the scholarship.
Scholarship Criteria:
- Program is open to freshman and sophomore HOPE students with a 2.75 – 2.99 grade point average.
- Students must pursue a minimum of 30 credit hours within the next academic year (fall, spring, and summer semesters).
- Students must attend Student Success workshops hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Studies.
- Students must meet regularly with their academic coach.
- Students are required to attend mandatory advisement sessions offered by the University Advisement Center.
We are exploring the expansion of the program for associate-degree seeking students.
Institutional HOPE Retention
Helping Students Keep Their HOPE Support
- 2008
- 2013
Improving Retention Rates
Helping Students Finish Their Degrees At Georgia State
- 2008
- 2013