Should HOPE pay only 75 percent of college tuition?
The lottery cannot keep up with the costs of HOPE and pre-k. Something has to give, but what?
I attended the General Assembly committee hearing this summer on revamping HOPE, which is running out of money despite what some posters here insist. With rising tuition and improved college attendance, the Georgia Lottery — which funds both HOPE and pre-k — cannot keep up with demand.
Many bad ideas were floated at the hearing. One was reducing the amount of HOPE to cover 75 or 80 percent of the tuition tab. My argument against that measure is that HOPE succeeded because it was so straightfoward — attain a B average in high school, maintain a B average in college and the taxpayers of Georgia will pay your full tuition at a public college.
Start diluting that brilliant concept — thank you Zell Miller for the simplicity of the idea — and HOPE gets murky.
I would prefer that we raise the bar on keeping HOPE, no more losing it and regaining it. We eliminate the smaller HOPE funds that go to students attending private colleges in Georgia. (I know it would hurt; I had a child at Emory for a while, but I think parents who send their kids to private college expect to live on rice and beans.)
We ought to get rid of all second chances and preserve the simplicity of the merit scholarship: To keep HOPE in college, keep your B average. Only 46.2 percent of students who had HOPE when they began University System colleges still retain it at the 30 credit-hour checkpoint; one year for most students. At 90 credit hours, or about three years, only 37.4 percent are still eligible.
I heard an interview with state Rep. Len Walker, R-Loganville, this week where he reiterated that HOPE may only be able to cover a portion of tuition in the future. I hope that proposal does not prevail. What do you think?
I think my 11-year-old twins will see a greatly reduced HOPE, and I better redouble my efforts to save for their college educations. You may see me waiting tables at IHOP on weekends. That’s how I got through college and grad school. And it’s where I developed my deep affection for silver dollar pancakes.
–By Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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167 comments Add your comment
bc
December 11th, 2010
1:34 pm
Did you say taxpayers pay for Hope? I thought it was only supported by the people who play the lottery which I’m sure include very few parents of hope scholars and and probably none of the people adding comments to your story. Donors of Hope scholarships are mostly poor people who don’t understand the long odds against them when they play the lottery. My guess is the Hope will continue to run out of money because those who support it are running low on cash and hope.
happy jack
December 11th, 2010
2:00 pm
I AM TOO SLOW. BC SAID EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED TO SAY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CHART COMPARING INCOMES OF THE FAMILY OF HOPE RECIPIENTS VS FAMILY INCOME OF LOTTERY PLAYERS. IF YOU LIKE, YOU COULD HAVE A 3RD CHART SHOWING AMOUNTS PAID BY TAXPAYERS FOR HOPE. AND, I DUG AND SCRATCHED AND PAID FOR MY MASTERS DEGREE 100%
catlady
December 11th, 2010
2:51 pm
Happy Jack: Taxpayers don’t pay for HOPE, but they are on the hook for the additional costs of putting on the classes/running the colleges. HOPE or tuition payments are only a small part of the expense of having colleges. Students also pay for their housing and food, but taxpayers–you and me–stake each and ever public instate student to about 10,000$ per year per student in tax money. (for a rough estimate, take the instate student tuition and subtract it from the out of state tuition figure). You will find that pretty amazing. You see, out of state students are not given the “ride” by the taxpayers that in-state students get. Each and every one of these non-able students (as well as able) get this subsidy. On top of that comes tuition (frequently HOPE) and room and board.
For the poster who asked about research on HOPE and family income, see the basic, tabs-type research done by Gary Henry at Georgia State.
Folks, do you notice how now no one can “afford” to send their child to college without HOPE? How did they send them prior to 1993? How do parents in other states send their kids? What folks mean is that it is INCONVENIENT to send their kids without HOPE. Parents no longer have to tap their equity, forgo their vacations, or sell a car. Students may be able to avoid loans. THAT is different from “couldn’t go without HOPE.” You cannot convince me that middle class parents (like those on this blog) would tell their children, “Sorry, you can’t go to college–join the military or get to work!” They might send their student to a 2 year school, or a commuter college, but they would not just dismiss college!
HOPE, for the vast majority, does not enable a student who would not have attended college to go; it is a destination-changer. A student who might have gone out of state stays in-state. A student who might have been thrilled to go to Kennesaw gets to go to UGA. A student who would have had to go to Dalton State gets to go to Kennesaw. Please note “for the vast majority”. If you don’t believe me, look at the demographics (SES) of the students who get HOPE.
CHIP
December 11th, 2010
3:32 pm
Here is where the root of the problem! Increase tuition every year at State and Private Universities do to over bloated salary pay for Professors and Administrators with benefits that are putting students who probably should have never went to college in the first place into a lifetime of slavery debt after they drop out their second year because their high school did not prepare them enough for higher learning! Georgia should do away with Tenure, Sabbatical leave, automatic annually or bi-annuarily pay increase and bonus. The only reason to work for the Government is for the benefits not salary. Professors should make less than what a their counter-part private practice or private company pays for the same field. Every College and Univesity in Georgia spends way too much on sports rather than their main focus which is tuition. Also, Georgia promotes every Minority should goto college however, if your have a criminal record and or have poor credit, Who is going to hire you even if you do graduate?
LAteach
December 11th, 2010
11:16 pm
Maureen, what is the status of the HOPE Teacher Scholarship? Do you know whether any other states have reduced or discontinued funding for teacher certification/education in critical needs areas?
Fire Bad Teachers
December 11th, 2010
11:41 pm
My oldest child will graduate from UGA next year and her education will have been paid for by HOPE. The program means my daughter will leave school with no debt.
I was in graduate school when HOPE began and UGA professors were complaining about being pressured to inflate grades to prevent students from losing their funding. No one wanted to be the one that caused a child to leave college.
Personally, I believe my child chose an easy major out of fear of losing her scholarship and having to borrow money. I wonder how many other capable students do the same to protect their free education. I am certain everyone would agree a B average in some majors would not have required the same rigor as a B in others. It would be nice to quantify this so students would not be afraid to choose a more rigorous path.
deeply concerned HOPE recipient
December 12th, 2010
11:29 am
Drop the Pre-K part & strictly cover college tuition. Any business moving/coming to GA could probably care less if their child goes to pre-k or not. They will however, like to see their child get a scholarship to help pay for their education. I personally never went to pre-k but I graduated in the top 15% of my high school class with Honors & have excelled in college & maintained my HOPE scholarship.
Shannon
December 12th, 2010
11:42 am
AAAARGH. CHIP. TUITION IS GOING UP BECAUSE THE SCHOOLS ARE BEING SYSTEMATICALLY DEFUNDED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR. This outrage over the higher tuition–I feel like I’ve been screaming on this blog, and everyone just keeps saying the same old ignorant mess–is because the money to fund the state school system is cut! By the Republican legislature!
Teachers are NOT dealing with bloated salaries, and college profs in state schools were furloughed last year just like many in the K-12 systems. Budgets have been *dramatically* cut, because the tuition increases are NOWHERE NEAR THE AMOUNT OF CUTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE. NOWHERE NEAR.
If I sound a little unhinged, it’s because people are being absolute idiots about this. Tuition is not the only–or even the *primary*–way that our state schools are funded. In addition, we have a Republican governor coming in who has ALREADY SAID that education needs to be cut FURTHER while businesses enjoy a 1/3 tax cut. So what can you look forward to?
Tuition will go up again, and services will be cut FURTHER. The draconian cuts made at state colleges and universities over the last few years would surprise you. It is NOT a matter of bloated salaries or useless departments anymore (if it ever was).
Simple math, people. Simple math! Look at the *numbers*!
John, Cumming
December 12th, 2010
11:50 am
I’m a product of the HOPE Scholarship. It’s the only reason I have no student debt:
#1) Kids going to Private School? No HOPE. Hope is for public education.
#2) Check the tuition increases at UGA and the # of Freshmen they let in. They have more than doubled the tuition in 10 years and they have increased the number of incoming Freshmen. Why? Because 99% of the Freshmen coming in have the HOPE and the state matches it. It’s a money maker for UGA. That is pathetic. Smart business sense, but pathetic and they are ripping off the state of Georgia.
#3) Elimate PE/Heatlh/Remedial classes from counting against grade point averages in college. At UGA, there are no remedial classes anymore and you get a Pass/Fail for PE.
Like all other govt programs, the HOPE has been mismanaged. It needs to go back to the original purpose. College only.
Devildog
December 12th, 2010
11:51 am
Join the military (preferably the Marine Corps), do something for yourself and your country, get the G.I. Bill–and possibly a HOPE scholarship–after you’ve served. You’ll be a much better student and a much more valuable asset to your community.
Keep the politicians’ hands off HOPE. They want the money to buy votes.
They lie. Remember the promise that the GA 400 toll was supposed to end? To paraphrase a bumper sticker, Politicians won’t give up a tax until it’s yanked from their cold, dead hands.
Devildog
December 12th, 2010
11:53 am
. . . and is anyone looking at WHY college costs are going up? And are there ways to keep those costs down?
Think about it; they raised costs because they had HOPE paying them.
Original HOPE
December 12th, 2010
11:59 am
How was the original HOPE plan set up? Did it include an income an income limit? If you look in Athens, you can see that the level of student living has improved dramatically. I can’t help but wonder if those new condos and cars were paid from college savings that were not used once the student used HOPE. Also, what about the other programs HOPE covers? Does it not provide for technology funds for schools and pre-k? All of these need to be audited to see what is working and what is just spending money. Mainly, HOPE needs to be an incentive for kids to earn a degree and contribute to society.
CASOFF
December 12th, 2010
12:21 pm
Make Hope need based again..why keep giving money to those that can afford to send their kid to school…if no reason why someone making over 150K should have the state pay for their son or daughter to attend school…need based and you have money again..simple as that..
Be Responsible
December 12th, 2010
12:25 pm
I agree with the comments posted by ATF. Hope funds should be provided given a means test. I work for a major corporation where high income attorneys brag about sending their kids to college for free while they are buying 2nd and 3rd lake/vacation homes. This is not the intend of the program. Additionally, you should be able to regain HOPE if your grades dip. My son went through a difficult period during one semester due to 2 deaths in our family. His grades suffered but not to a point where he would not be eligible. The program should provide a way for students to redeem themselves from a difficult time. And no…my son did not get the full benefit of HOPE. He attended private college and received only the equalization grant of 3,000 at the time. I drove a 10 year old car, clipped coupons, and made sacrafices to send him to the school he wanted to go to. I am not one to look for a free ride and I did it on a secrataries salary.
Smart like a fox
December 12th, 2010
12:34 pm
since hope came along….the cost of attending UGA has gone up 95%….ever thought of making some adjustments to our State School? Maybe a little greed got in the way?
Pierce Randall
December 12th, 2010
12:40 pm
And yet Deal also wants to cut corporate tax rates. That shows where his priorities are. You could say, well, that’s a general budget issue, but cuts to university budgets are what have driven them to increase fees and tuition. That’s just moving money around and raiding HOPE for tax cuts. Also, there’s no reason a state infusion of money for HOPE should be off the table entirely–we do the same thing for worthless and corrupt GDOT quite often. If you’re not rich in this state, the governor’s mansion and gold dome declared war on you long ago.
another comment
December 12th, 2010
12:51 pm
Of course HOPE should pay at Private Colleges. I am a graduate of a Small Private College out of state. There is a huge drop in quality after UGA and GA Tech. Many High School Grads are not going to thrive at college campuses with 20,000 -30,000 students. The only way that some of us will be able to afford the Private College in Georgia is to piece together $500, 1,000, 1,500 and $4000 Hope Scholarship. The State College System does not have treaures like SCAD, or other Emory that this state needs.
What needs to be done first is eliminate the remedial courses, which clearly indicates the high schools are failing. Of course that shows that one track for graduation is a failure, we need a three course graduation track like Germany’s. Which includes a vocational training. It also includes a preparation for a skilled manufacturing base, not a minimum wage drop out society that a certain political party in Georgia likes.
Chris
December 12th, 2010
12:58 pm
I say bring back the income cap. I’m from a well off white family from the suburbs. I had HOPE, but certainly didn’t need it to go to school. The fear is that the top students will bolt the state if they can’t go for free to UGA and the like. I think the universities are strong enough now to keep students in state. The HOPE should focus on the huge portion of high school students in GA that come from low-income families and/or are first generation college attendees. Keep paying for remedial class. Keep the 2nd chance. The more youth we have going to and staying in college, the better our state becomes. When HOPE came about the income cap was 66K. It was obviously designed with a working class mentality. We should return to that..
Student looking for HOPE
December 12th, 2010
1:05 pm
Maybe the HOPE grant should increase annually based on grade point average of 3.0 or better. During the freshman year, HOPE should pay 25%, sophomore – 50%, junior -75%, and senior – 100%.
"Unintended" Consequences
December 12th, 2010
1:13 pm
People are completely ignorant of how economics works. People are calling for freezes on costs, etc. and yet if there were no HOPE scholarships, the costs of higher education would already be far below what they are today. Here is why:
When a school must get all of the money for tuition JUST from the family of the student or the student themselves they can only ask so much. While there are rich families that can afford a lot of tuition cost, their numbers are limited, and frankly they are likely sending their children to private universities. No matter how much a school wants to charge, the market will only bear so much. Kroger might like to charge 20 for a pound of coffee, but folks can’t and won’t pay that and the competition from Publix would keep the price to something everyone is willing and able to pay. The same would work for the universities except for the artificial and destructive influence of the HOPE scholarship, the tax free college savings accounts, the artificially low interest rate federally-guaranteed loan program and plenty of other government interventions in the market.
The HOPE has guaranteed the full cost of tuition at “public” universities in the state. If I were a public university, why would I do anything to keep my costs low? After all, the HOPE will pay the costs, not the parents. They only now need to come up with the costs of books, etc. Once we have the tuition out of the way, the federal loan program allows folks to borrow virtually an unlimited amount of money, continuously defer payment, and has interest rates so ridiculously low that the cost of borrowing is super cheap. When a college (public or private) knows that the parents and student can obtain virtually any amount of money they wish to charge, again, why would they charge less. And since every college and university benefits from these “subsidies” (which the taxpayers guarantee to pick up if the loan defaults), why would any of them charge less than their competition. No sense killing the golden calf.
All people can see is how easily they can get the money for their kid’s college. They are ignorant that plenty of other greedy, selfish, folks also exist in the university system – folks like useless professors, tons of administrative types, plenty of unionized folks and others whose employment just raises the price of tuition with little positive contribution to the learning process.
HOPE needs to go, along with all the other government interventions that have driven the price of college through the roof. If the government wants to do anything to help, they could end the state income tax and the federal income tax, end the economically destructive Federal Reserve (whose inflationary policies destroy savings that could fund education) and restore a sound economy so that parents can save in a responsible way to pay for what would be affordable college costs brought to us by competetion and a need to actually EARN the tuition costs from parents and students.
But don’t look for the greedy middle class to support any serious reforms anytime soon. They are too addicted to the giant government subsidy of their needs, regardless of the negative and destructive consequences they complain about.
"Unintended" Consequences
December 12th, 2010
1:19 pm
If what we are looking for is a charity program to help the needy, then call it that, privately fund it, and get the government out of the way. Liberals won’t support such a thing either because that would require that they get off their butts and actually WORK to raise the money VOLUNTARILY, It is far easier to just STEAL it through taxation or the equivalent again as taxpayers either pay the defaulted student loans or the HOPE cost overruns.
The key is to end the guarantee. Haven’t we already learned from the welfare reform of the Clinton years that ending guarantees and requiring personal effort is the best way to ensure that dependency (whether it be by the universities or the parents) ends.
"Unintended" Consequences
December 12th, 2010
1:23 pm
And let’s not bring German school programs up as suggestions. It was the efforts of Horace Mann back in the late 1800’s to model government schools after the Prussian (German) model that gave us the failed, individual-destroying, system we have today. Central planning is a failure and extending government central planning into higher education has only worsened the problem that government central planning in the K-12 system has created.
To Shannon
December 12th, 2010
1:30 pm
You are unhinged. My father was a professor but not in this state. He has been retired longer than he worked and is still living on his retirement, medical care and all those other defined benefit plans that were given to him. Higher education has become a business while producing a much poorer product.We have PhD’s today who think like you-maybe you are one of them. However, you have no concept of how to create wealth.
Daivd James
December 12th, 2010
1:32 pm
HOPE is a public program and should be for public schools. Eliminate private colleges from the program. Students who attend private high school do not have access to state public funds, private college should be similar.
An increase in Georgia’s college student enrollment is a testament to the success of the Hope scholarship program throughout the years. Don’t fix what is not broken. GPA remains at 3.0 and tuition 100%. Looks for innovative ways to channel more money into the program like not cutting corporate taxes or diverting funds. Make everyone buy a lottery ticket. Education should be the last thing to be cut if the state is to remain progressive and attractive to business community.
dcb
December 12th, 2010
1:37 pm
Regarding the problem in HOPE Scholarship monies not meeting the “demand” – that’s an easy fix. And its funny that we haven’t heard anything about this option in those listed to help out the program. Probably because it’s not considered politically correct these days. That option – make the eligibility rules more stringent by adding the college admissions testing scores into the equation. Then insist that colleges follow the GPA requirement to continue receiving the funds for those already in the program – NO exceptions. I remember well how the program and the lottery concept in the first place, was sold to the public. That it was an attempt to keep the most talented Georgia high school students in the state’s post-secondary schools. And because SAT and ACT scores were supposedly racially and demographically bias (thus would not be able to gain the votes in rural Georgia necessary for the legislature to pass it) , a 3.0 high school GPA would be the only qualifying academic eligibility requirement. Well, if we’re worried that our state’s high schools have grade inflated programs that can fluctuate to meet the need of the moment, and if either the income from the state lottery or the increased numbers of students qualifying within the current eligibility requirements aren’t going to make the finances work, then let’s get over the supposed bias involved in the ACT and SAT program. But for goodness sake, let’s not start to quibble about how much each student is going to receive. That will only lose students who have been deemed we want to keep in-state in the first place.
old dawg
December 12th, 2010
1:42 pm
No more HOPE for remedial classes. No HOPE to repeat a class. No HOPE for private school education.
TECH School requirements should be tightened. It should be harder to get and once gone it is gone.
HOPE has kept many of Georgia’s best and brightest in our state schools. Let’s focus on those high achievers. Let’s take it away from dummies with inflated grades and give it to graduate students in our public colleges including Medical College of Georgia.
MercerGrad
December 12th, 2010
1:45 pm
I am set to graduate from Mercer University next Spring and without hope and the access of going to a private school then I would not be walking across the stage next Spring. I am not a normal student because I am considered a working adult. I work 40+ hours a week and I go to school two days a week. Without the program at Mercer I would have never made it at a public college. Trust me I looked into going to Georgia State or Clayton State first because of price. The time and the days of the classes did not work out for me. I could not leave work early or come in late. So I had to go to Mercer where their classes start at 5:30-9:45. That works out for me. Granted even with the Hope Scholarship I will still leave school with 52K worth of debt but, it will be worth it. My goal was to earn a undergraduate degree and that is what I have done. I am lucky that now I have earned a job at a public college in Georgia so my next degrees will be free. What I am trying to say is don’t take away hope from the Private colleges. What little money we get from this loan helps out a lot. Mine went towards books and a little bit of my tutition. If I didn’t have hope I am pretty sure my student loans would have been 70K. If you want to cut hope cut it from the Pre K program. We didn’t even have Pre K when I started school back in the 80’s and a lot of my classmates turned out great.
rob
December 12th, 2010
1:58 pm
How about not paying the millions of dollars in bonuses to lottery employees every year.
Increase the payout on games instead of making it harder to win. I used to play everyday
spending 1000’s yearly, but not any more.
Deborah
December 12th, 2010
2:03 pm
I agree with so many others, private colleges should never have been am option. I’m not sure of the specifics but it the private colleges accept the HOPE they should only charge public college tuition to those students or let their parents pay the difference. For 1 person attending a private college you could send 3 to a public school.
Aquagirl
December 12th, 2010
2:08 pm
About half of y’all are saying “allot HOPE funds the way I need/used them. Cut someone else’s welfare program.”
Whether or not a program works never enters your minds. It’s all about the gimme, gimme, gimme. Because that’s what’s important.
Kathy
December 12th, 2010
2:08 pm
Let’s remember, there is a HOPE Scholarship that pays when a student maintains a B average. Then we have the HOPE Grant. A grant that is not paid back, but given to kids who enroll in a 30 hr. certificate program at various colleges, and readily available at Technical colleges. There is NO GPA requirement for the HOPE Grant….but maybe there should be. When a person gets a GED, they get $500 HOPE GRANT $$$ to use toward additional education, which also is more likely to be channeled to Technical Colleges. I don’t get this one because if the student enrolls in a 30 hr. certicicate program HOPE Grant pays…SO, why NOT ELIMINATE the $500 GED graduation gift? and leave the $$$ in the HOPE Scholarship funds?
Also, since the HOPE Grant was enacted GEORGIA has the Work Ready program that seems very closely woven with the HOPE Grant. Where is the Work Ready $$$ coming from????? Houston County received at least $1 MIllion grant for its Work Ready program….The work ready programs are document various job proficiency levels for jobs within the community and the program offers additional training to the community members. Perhaps somebody needs to look into HOPE Grant $$$ and the Work REady program…and rather than funding both programs, just go with one. NO DOUBLE DIPPING for anyone.
Now, let’s remember…the PRE-K program that lottery money is also used to finance. It is my understanding that ANY DAY CARE, which often only runs its pre k program half a day IS NOT held accountable. THere are PRE K lobbyists….and they are powerful. All I’m saying is this…
why is it we hand over hundreds of millions of $$$$ to pre k programs and there is no real oversight. Pre ks in public education settings go a full day, parents pay for their child’s school lunch…and there are programs in place to at the very least INVOLVE PARENTS in the pre K programs.
Maybe it’s time to look at funding the Pre-K program and scrutinize what we are actually getting for the millions spent compared to “just” a day care program?
Here’s something I have often wondered about: If there is government Head start Money….where is that pot of gold kept, and where is the location of the money purse for Pre-K that the Lottery dollars
fund?
Let’s look at the Pre K programs in Private DayCare centers, and even in the churches. Why not re evaluate the HOPE GRANT and how it is intertwined with the recent Work REady program?
abcd
December 12th, 2010
2:12 pm
Make it more difficult to earn HOPE. To be eligible, the student must:
*Have a B+ average (3.3)
*Score at or above the national average on SAT/ACT
*Graduate from a Georgia public, private, or home school
The program itself should not pay for any:
*Remedial classes
jd
December 12th, 2010
2:37 pm
@unintended consequences — you can’t add, much less discuss economic theory. HOPE does encourage tuition hikes — the formula for funding public higher ed as 75% state taxes and 25% tuition. With budget cuts — it is no 60% state and 40% tuition — which means tuition increases 60% just because of state budget cuts.
When you adjust the per student investment by state tax dollars in higher ed — the state is paying less than it did for students in 1992. This is made more real when you have to pay the insurance and energy costs which have far outstripped inflation the past 15 years.
Finally, states without HOPE charge their students higher tuition, still, than Georgia. The fact is, even with tuition hikes, Ga charges less than its counterparts…
HOPE has worked well to convince businesses to locate here and smart students to stay here — as you let the air out of HOPE, you will let the air out of Georgia’s future.
Of course, HOPE will still be paying for job training (funny how no one brings that up) – no matter what your GPA – you too can learn how to lay bricks, style hair, and put together cars… and earn poverty wages
Dr. Craig Spinks /Augusta
December 12th, 2010
3:27 pm
In the era of “meeting AYP,” of “meeting standards” on CRCTs and the GHSGT, as well as of qualifying for “A/B” honor rolls, many GA parents have been deluded by our entrenched, self-serving educracy into believing that their kids are being prepared for rigorous post-secondary education/training, for gainful employment in competitive settings and for responsible citizenship. The process of disabusing our friends of their delusions about their kids’ academic and vocational prowess will not be quick, cheap or pleasant.
No more slavery
December 12th, 2010
3:37 pm
I hope they do end Hope…white people think that only blacks are getting hope,unemployment and welfare because of what they see on TV..So all of these whites who benefit from these programs will be cut off…Whites need to get over this racial *hit that they are on and quit voting for crooks…the real problem is that you idiots are fighting 2 senseless wars, thats why the economy is screwed and we are in debt…Its okay to help the Iraqi people but no minoritys..come on white people its almost 2011!
Brad
December 12th, 2010
4:09 pm
I am disgusted at the presumption that 1) HOPE lottery funds are tax dollars and 2) those that choose private schools can afford the loss of HOPE. We barely scrape by and the amount HOPE provides our daughter to go to a private college is much less than what would have to be provided for one of those so called “fine GA public colleges”. HOPE is a merit based program and should remain that. It is to keep higher performing students in college in GA. NOT just public, not just private. There’s so much entitlement mentality in this country and obviously also in this state. Eliminate the free pre-k. It’s government babysitting. No one earned it and from the 20 years of experience of my wife as a Kindergarten teacher, doesn’t make a bit of difference. That takes parent effort. Most of her worst students were in the free pre k.
mark
December 12th, 2010
4:22 pm
Ha. These guys should be EXPANDING Hope with other funding mechanisms. More education for Georgia’s children only BENEFITS our state. Typical Republican thinking. Cut any help for average Georgians.
Current Student
December 12th, 2010
4:28 pm
Its amazing how the Right Wing political jokers answer to everything is CUT CUT CUT…followed by more CUTS? Unfortunately its always the same old Bush Economics 101…cut taxes for the rich who are not hurting in the recession and loose the revenue the state desperately needs and then they complain they have no money so let’s cut the programs the middle class and poor need just to survive.
With all of the so called brain power or should I say money it takes to become Governor in Georgia, you would think one would be able to figure out or purchase the answer to the solution, which is very simple. If you really to control the rising cost of the HOPE education programs, you must first stop letting state and private institutions gouge the systems I.E. if schools want to continue receiving the perks of Government funded students, then they must place a cap on their tuition for HOPE approved students in order to be allowed to participate. Someone in an a post above mentioned how local school tuitions have increased 94% from 2005 – 2010, when the quality of their education has not improved I.E. if you take an online class at many of these technical colleges, chances are your instructor does not even live in the state of Georgia and they view their class as a part-time job and as a current state school student, I can tell you that this is not a good thing. These schools know that HOPE will pay no matter what the cost is, so they continue to game the system. Graduation and Retention rates should also factor into the school ability to participate.
Many people will disagree with this one, but yes the program should be capped to family incomes of 50K or less because right now we have no cap and families who make over 250K, get a huge tax break, and are allowed to game the HOPE education program as long as their kids have a 3.0 GPA? There are benefits associated the concept of educating Georgians…I.E educated residents have a better chance at finding local employment, spending their funds locally to boost the local economy, live in the state of Georgia, and close your eyes I’m about to say a dirty word..pay more local taxes, which improves Georgia’s revenue and works toward bringing down the states deficit. So believe it or not the state can recoup its educational investment over time if the students remain in Georgia as employees or business owners and continue to pay sales tax, income tax, property tax, and my favorite tax on your vehicle.
Tamika
December 12th, 2010
4:36 pm
HOPE happened as the coalition of voters who wanted a lottery because and voters who were hooked by the promise of a free education for students with a B average. Without either promise, there would be no lottery and no HOPE. Undoing one will undo the other.
Personally, I did not vote for the lottery. I thought it a massive, voluntary transfer from the poor to the middle class but most Georgians thought it was a good idea.
cg
December 12th, 2010
4:37 pm
Eliminate HOPE for remedial classes. If HOPE is for “outstanding pupils” then why do they need remedial classes? Obviously, someone who graduates with a 3.0 high school GPA but needs remedial classes in ANY subject, graduated with that GPA due to grade inflation. And raise the standard to 3.2. Keep the simplicity of it. Maybe the legislature can do something to contain the cost of a college degree, which has risen far more than inflation. T
Furthermore, the textbook industry is a scam, with minor revisions coming out way too often, and the profs requiring the newest version so students can’t buy used books, or get anything from their books to sell at the end of the semester. Textbooks add tons to the cost of a college degree.
Take it from a mom who has graduated two HOPE graduates — both of whom were successful in high school with just over a 3.0 GPA, and both of whom have good jobs today, Mr. GA Tech snob. You will be better served learning to write rather than bragging about your GPA and your major. Nowadays and anyways?
I am opposed to means-testing to receive the scholarship. There are plenty of need-based programs out there, but nothing for the middle class family who has several children to put through college, but who does not qualify for need-based aid.
Brainsquibb
December 12th, 2010
4:43 pm
Thuga December 10th, 2010 @ 3:42 pm
SPSU is probably the greatest secret in Georgia. If your son is graduating with Honors..hip hip hurray. I am a 2006 graduate and continued at another institution and earn a masters degree so he will be fine.
There should be no Hope scholarships for remedial courses; may some Federal financial aid. The student should take out a loan until they have completed those courses or attend a junior college like I did to get their academic priorities in place for more rigorous courses. If you lose the hope scholarship then its gone forever they can take out a loan like I did for graduate school and no hope for private schools. GaTech a 3.0 is a good GPA to earn assistance plus it depends on the high-school system they student graduated from. If you have a 3.0 attending GA Tech you have earned it but the key is how much should the tax payers pay for their education. 100% ? 50% ? Remember there are pell grants, student loans and the parents have to take responsibility for their child’s education. Another option is the military like many people I know went in the military for X number of years and received the GI Bill.
Foreign citizens
December 12th, 2010
4:49 pm
I know several students who are at GA TECH, !) who are not citizens of the US, 2) Pay any Federal or State Income Taxes 3) who are here just for a FREE EDUCATION. Their parents are not tax paying citizens of GA they moved here, established residency, and BOOM sent for their children to come to this country. Thank you India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, China, Vientam, just to name a few for sending us your kids to Educate.
Brainsquibb
December 12th, 2010
4:49 pm
No more slavery December 12th, 2010 @ 3:37 pm; you are truely the DEVIL and have hatred in your heart. It always about white people and republicans with pople like U when black males can’t finish high-school because of the attitude you just showed by your illogical rant. The only slave is U, bound by your hatred. The only thing stopping people is just try it and do it!! Period. Remember 911 and Bush is not the president anymore Obama is and the wars are still going on like Guitmo.
Really?
December 12th, 2010
4:50 pm
Georgia is a red state, and the mantra of the right is low taxes, limited government and personal responsibility. Why can’t these deadbeat parents rein in their spending, live within their means, and save for their children’s tuition? Moreover, if you can’t get a scholarship to a mediocre state school like UGA, there’s no point in going to college; the world needs ditch diggers, too.
gagirl121
December 12th, 2010
5:24 pm
Yes to minimum SAT AND HS Grades (Course rigor AP/IB)
No to SAT alone!
Yes to freezing college tuition – make your freaking cuts somewhere else
Yes to allow hope only past 30 hours with 3.2 GPA
If remedial course are necessary take them at a 2-year school, get your Associates degree then transfer out – smoking mirrors as this is not the problem.
Otherwise, SHUT IT DOWN – do away with the lottery!!!!!!!!!!!
hs counselor
December 12th, 2010
6:33 pm
I am a high school counselor, a 1993 graduate (one of the first to receive HOPE), and a parent of two children, grades 3 and 6. Grades are sometimes inflated at high school – not specifically for HOPE – it’s just the way it is sometimes.
After looking at many of the comments, I have been convinced HOPE should be a reimbursement program. It makes sense.
As AugustaGolfer said, “Anytime students are required to make an investment into their education, they’ll likely work harder at it.” It’s true with students and its true with most of us. If we have to pay for something, we are more likely to take care of it. If we are given something, it may or may not take priority. I can tell you this – when my children get to college, if HOPE were a reimbursement program, I would stay on them to make sure they make As and Bs. I also think it’s OK, if it’s a reimbursement program to give 100% for As, 80% for Bs – and nothing for less. And, yes, if my children make a C in a class instead of an A or B (as they very well may), then we have to pay 100% of it. No excuses. It is what it is. We do need to remember that this is a SCHOLARSHIP, not an entitlement.
That’s pretty simple. Sure, that may or may not require more employees monitoring the HOPE scholarship, but I don’t think those salaries would touch what would be saved by having a reimbursement HOPE plan. And this way, the students don’t get too far in debt (like having to repay 5 years out). If they were to monitor every semester, then you would know before classes began the next semester what they had to pay (or not) for the previous semester.
If my children have to take remedial courses, I won’t like it, but I will understand that it’s something that must be done. I will have to pay for that course, 100%. Maybe after the remedial course, they’ll be more likely to make the A or B in the following courses, rather than a C or less.
And finally, for those who may say this is a “middle-class” program. . . . maybe it is, but it certainly benefits others as well. If I’m not mistaken, the state voted for this program. As a high school counselor, I see where low-income students get A LOT of money from need-based Pell grants and such. That is OK. I’m not complaining about that. I see a lot of VERY well-deserving students who simply cannot afford college and need based grants are their only “hope”. That is a good thing. And, just as with the other students, if they EARN all “A”s or “B”s, they’ll get reimbursed from their Pell grant and can use that money however they see fit.
But, not kidding, I have seen where students have simply enrolled in college and attended – both 2 year colleges and the technical colleges – so they could get the HOPE program to pay all tuition and fees and THEN the pell grant gives them ADDITIONAL money for living expenses (food, apartments, spending,etc.) This, they don’t have to pay back! It seems kind of crazy to me . . . .EARN money for going to college – regardless of if you do well in college or not.
Which brings us to the next discussion, which very few have discussed . . . . FULL HOPE grants for technical colleges (regardless of high school GPAs and the Pre-K program). I’m not suggesting completely cutting either of those, but they must be examined as well.
Are you kidding?
December 12th, 2010
6:48 pm
Enter your comments here
Are you kidding?
December 12th, 2010
6:57 pm
Most of you have already received your HOPE EDUCATION, so you are quick to make your recommendations, Leave it alone, Several reasons there is no money, Professors salaries is totally out of control. They work 3 hours a day and get paid starting salaries that are way out of line with what other states pay. When the Hope program started with then Gov. Zell Miller, it was designed to help parents. Over 20 years later its still doing it… The program needs to be examined from top to bottom, Illegal students,(like the girl at KSU) is a bigger issue. She is just the one that got caught…
Louise
December 12th, 2010
8:00 pm
I like the reimbursement plan.
I strongly support a parental income limit. It could be high , $300,000. People with an income over that should know how to save for a college education. Look at the cars their students drive. A free college education is not your right if you are a Georgian, but a privilege. If you cut the HOPE for low income students, we will never break the cycle some are in. We have to have a means test somewhere in this.
abcd
December 12th, 2010
9:18 pm
“We have to have a means test somewhere in this.”
No, we don’t.