How much the HOPE Scholarship pays depends on where you enroll and how many credit hours you take. For 2026-27, HOPE pays $5,256 a semester at Georgia Tech and $5,017 at UGA for a 15-hour schedule, about $10,000 to $10,500 for fall and spring. At most regional universities it's about $2,600 to $2,850 a semester. HOPE pays toward standard undergraduate tuition only, not fees, housing or books.
All amounts are from the Georgia Student Finance Commission's (GSFC) 2026-27 award tables, which cover fall 2026 through summer 2027. Final amounts are set by your college.
HOPE and Zell Miller amounts at Georgia public universities, 2026-27
Per semester. Annual is fall plus spring at 15 hours.
| University | HOPE, 12 hours | HOPE, 15 hours | Zell Miller, 15 hours | HOPE annual (15 hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Tech | $4,204.80 | $5,256 | $5,309 | $10,512 |
| University of Georgia | $4,013.64 | $5,017 | $5,067 | $10,034 |
| Georgia State | $3,672 | $4,590 | $4,635 | $9,180 |
| Augusta University (Health Sciences campus) | $3,636 | $4,542 | $4,587 | $9,084 |
| Georgia College & State | $3,078.48 | $3,848 | $3,886 | $7,696 |
| Augusta University (Summerville campus) | $2,820 | $3,532 | $3,567 | $7,064 |
| University of North Georgia (bachelor's) | $2,292 | $2,865 | $2,895 | $5,730 |
| Kennesaw State | $2,280 | $2,850 | $2,880 | $5,700 |
| Columbus State | $2,244 | $2,805 | $2,835 | $5,610 |
| Georgia Southern | $2,244 | $2,805 | $2,835 | $5,610 |
| University of West Georgia | $2,244 | $2,805 | $2,835 | $5,610 |
| Valdosta State | $2,244 | $2,805 | $2,835 | $5,610 |
| Albany State (bachelor's) | $2,088 | $2,610 | $2,640 | $5,220 |
| Clayton State | $2,088 | $2,610 | $2,640 | $5,220 |
| Fort Valley State | $2,088 | $2,610 | $2,640 | $5,220 |
| Georgia Southwestern State | $2,088 | $2,610 | $2,640 | $5,220 |
| Middle Georgia State | $2,088 | $2,610 | $2,640 | $5,220 |
| Savannah State | $2,088 | $2,610 | $2,640 | $5,220 |
| Georgia Gwinnett College | $1,644 | $2,055 | $2,070 | $4,110 |
Source: Georgia Student Finance Commission, HOPE and Zell Miller Award Amounts, 2026-27.
At Georgia's state colleges -- including Dalton State, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, College of Coastal Georgia, Gordon State, Atlanta Metropolitan State, Georgia Highlands, South Georgia State, Georgia State's Perimeter College and Georgia Southern's East Georgia campus -- HOPE pays $1,575 to $1,635 a semester for 15 hours.
HOPE pays per hour, up to 15
At public colleges, HOPE pays a set amount per credit hour, up to 15 hours a term. At UGA, that's $334.47 an hour. Two consequences:
- Hours above 15 aren't covered. An 18-hour semester gets the same HOPE payment as 15.
- A lighter schedule gets less. At UGA, 12 hours pays $4,013.64; 15 hours pays $5,017.
Where HOPE and Zell Miller differ
At most public universities, Zell Miller also pays per hour, and HOPE is about 99% of the Zell Miller amount at every course load.
At UGA, Georgia Tech, Georgia College and Augusta University, Zell Miller pays a flat amount for full-time study (7 or more hours at UGA and Georgia Tech), while HOPE still pays per hour. So the gap depends on your schedule:
| At UGA | 12 hours | 15 hours |
|---|---|---|
| HOPE | $4,013.64 | $5,017 |
| Zell Miller | $5,067 | $5,067 |
| HOPE as a share of Zell Miller | 79% | 99% |
A few state colleges also show bigger gaps: at Georgia Highlands, South Georgia State and Perimeter College, HOPE is about 95% of Zell Miller.
Private colleges: a flat amount
At eligible private colleges, HOPE and Zell Miller pay the same flat amount, based on full-time or half-time enrollment rather than hours. For 2026-27, most -- including Emory, Mercer, Spelman, Morehouse, Berry and Agnes Scott -- receive $2,985 a semester for 12 or more hours and $1,493 for 6 to 11 hours. Six private colleges, including SCAD, Georgia Military College and Life University, receive $2,034.
What this means for you
- On HOPE at a public university, aim for 15 hours a term. It's the maximum HOPE pays for, and anything less leaves tuition uncovered.
- The Zell Miller premium is small at most schools, but at UGA, Georgia Tech, Georgia College and Augusta it protects you on lighter semesters.
- Budget for fees, housing and books separately. HOPE and Zell Miller cover standard tuition only.
- To qualify and keep it, see HOPE vs. Zell Miller requirements and how to keep HOPE in college.