Free Merit-Based College Tuition in Georgia on the Chopping Block

January 7, 2011

Since 1993 Georgia's Hope scholarship has provided four years of college tuition to any Georgia high school student who graduates with a "B" average and attends a university or technical school in the state. Now the program is becoming a victim of its own popularity and the recession. Several states copied Georgia's program, and some of those, notably Tennessee's, which like Georgia uses lottery money to fund the scholarships, are also facing funding shortages. Some seem to have begun to view the Hope program as an entitlement that cannot be cut, claiming that if the program is changed they won't be able to afford college. The legislature is considering making the program less than a full scholarship, or giving more to some students (still based on merit) and less to others. The most likely scenario is a change to a flat rate scholarship, irrespective of the student's individual tuition bill. However it comes out, there will be less Hope in Georgia in 2011.

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AP Testing

Advance Placement (AP) exams will be given this week and next week, May 7-18. These exams are crucial, as colleges generally weigh students' exam scores as part of the admissions process. High AP exam scores (typically 3-5, more often 4-5) can also allow students to place out of certain college courses and obtain credit towards the graduation requirement.  Good luck to all!!

Did You Know?

With the number of applicants now using the Common App and the ease of submitting an online application (in the 2010-11 cycle, 1.8 million applications were submitted as of January 1, 2011), admissions officers are looking for more than just an application to make admissions decisions - you need to demonstrate a genuine interest in the school.  The best ways to do this include visiting the campus, having a campus interview if offered, attending college fairs and completing the intake form for schools you are really interested in, attending any local events in your area sponsored by the college, and emailing the admissions counselors with specific questions about programs that interest you.  These steps can help to differentiate you from the herd of "stealth applicants" who use the Common App as their sole contact with the school.

News

Way Back When College Was a Buyer's Market
March 31, 2011
Oh to be interested in attending Harvard University in the late 1860s. Harvard and other schools like Vassar and Columbia actually advertised for students in newspapers, and any required freshman entrance exams could be taken on the weekend prior to the start of classes. How times have changed. Read More>>
Ni Hao! - NYU to open Shanghai campus
March 27, 2011
New York University announced plans to establish a degree-granting campus in Shanghai. NYU's president was expected to sign an agreement on March 28 with Chinese officials to seal the deal. This move signals a continuing trend for American universities. Read More>>

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