🎓 University of Georgia Scholarships, HOPE & Zell Aid Guide
← Back to Public University Scholarships
- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
UGA’s GPA and test-based scholarships like HOPE and Zell Miller are powerful—but navigating them can still feel like a maze. If no one in your family’s done this before, you might miss out. This guide breaks it all down so you don’t.
📊 Estimated Cost of Attendance (2025–2026)
The annual sticker price for a typical freshman attending full-time at the Athens campus (on-campus living):
| Expense | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees | $10,034 | $30,878 |
| Books & Supplies | $998 | $998 |
| Room & Board | $7,498 + $4,586 = $12,084 | Same |
| Transportation | $1,528 | $2,346 |
| Personal & Misc. | $3,464 | $3,464 |
| Total Estimated COA | $29,566 | $51,228 |
According to BigFuture and College Scorecard:
- Average Net Price: ≈ $17,180/year
This is what families actually paid after grants and scholarships—not the sticker price. About 29% of students receive aid averaging ~$16,335/year. Your net cost will vary by residency, grades/test scores, and FAFSA results. Use UGA’s Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.
The University of Georgia participates in the Academic Common Market (ACM), which allows eligible graduate students — and undergraduate juniors/seniors in approved majors — to pay in-state tuition if their program is not offered in their home state. In addition, UGA may award a limited number of non-resident tuition waivers to high-achieving out-of-state students that reduce tuition to the in-state rate.
Notes: ACM eligibility is program-specific and requires certification from your home state. Non-resident waivers are competitive, limited in number, and typically tied to strong academic performance or special categories (e.g., military, university employees, border-county residents). Always confirm current criteria with UGA Admissions or the Registrar.
✅ Automatic Scholarships (In-State & Out-of-State)
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility (plain English) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Scholars Award | $3,000–$10,000/year | Out-of-state admits with 30+ ACT or 1360+ SAT and a strong academic record (typically 3.8+ GPA, top 10% of class). | No — automatic with admission | Yes — up to 4 years | High-achieving OOS admits who apply early and fall in UGA’s top quartile. |
| Red & Black Scholarship | $2,000–$3,000/year | Out-of-state admits with 28–30 ACT or ~1300 SAT and around a 3.7+ GPA. Still competitive, but a step below Classic Scholars. | No — automatic with admission | Yes — up to 4 years | Solid OOS admits who meet the GPA/test benchmarks but not quite at the Classic Scholars level. |
| HOPE Scholarship (Georgia Residents) | ≈ 85% of UGA tuition (tuition-only) | GA resident; 3.0+ HOPE GPA in required core courses; graduate from a GA high school; file FAFSA or GSFAPP each year | Yes — FAFSA or GSFAPP (state form) | Yes — maintain 3.0 college GPA at checkpoints | Georgia grads meeting the published HOPE GPA benchmark |
| Zell Miller Scholarship (Georgia Residents) | 100% of UGA tuition (tuition-only) | GA resident; 3.7+ HOPE GPA and SAT 1200+ or ACT 26+ from a single sitting; GA HS graduate; FAFSA or GSFAPP each year | Yes — FAFSA or GSFAPP (state form) | Yes — maintain 3.3 college GPA at checkpoints | Georgia grads meeting the 3.7 GPA + single-sitting test requirement |
Disclaimer: Amounts and criteria can change each cycle and may vary by funding and applicant pool. Always confirm current details on UGA Admissions and GAfutures before relying on a specific figure.
🏆 Competitive Scholarships at University of Georgia (Non-Honors)
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility (plain English) | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presidential Leadership Scholarship | $1,000–$3,000/year | First-year admits with 3.8+ GPA and ACT 30+ / SAT 1350+, plus major leadership or service roles; often requires interview. | Yes — by invitation/selection after admission | Yes — up to 4 years (maintain GPA & enrollment) | ~25–30 per year; statewide/national leadership track record + solid academics |
| UGA Alumni Association & Chapter Scholarships | $500–$5,000 | Students who meet donor criteria (e.g., certain high schools, counties, or majors). GPA usually 3.0+. | Yes — Alumni portal; spring deadline | One year — must reapply | Hundreds given each year; best odds for students with clear donor match and early application |
| Georgia Commitment Scholarships | $5,000–$7,000/year | Students with documented need (FAFSA required); often Pell-eligible and GA residents. Must maintain full-time status and academic progress. | No — selected from admitted pool with FAFSA | Yes — up to 4 years (continued need required) | Dozens annually; first-gen and Pell students prioritized |
Disclaimer: Award amounts and numbers can change each year. Always confirm deadlines and eligibility with UGA Admissions, Alumni Association, and the Office of Student Financial Aid before relying on a figure.
FAQ
How many Presidential Leadership Scholarships are there?
Usually around 25–30 are awarded each year. They’re competitive and by invitation only, so not every strong applicant will be considered.
Are Alumni/Chapter awards worth applying for?
Yes — there are hundreds available each year. Even though many are smaller ($500–$2,000), they can stack with state aid or HOPE/Zell. They’re low-effort and high-value if you qualify.
Is Georgia Commitment only for Georgia residents?
Preference is given to Georgia residents, but some awards are open to any student with documented need. FAFSA is required for all.
Do you have to apply Early Action to be considered?
For Presidential Leadership, yes — apply by Nov 1. For Alumni/Chapter, deadlines are usually in the spring. For Georgia Commitment, FAFSA by Jan 15 is key.
⭐ UGA’s Specialty Spotlight
When you think University of Georgia, think research power, public service, and programs that punch above their weight nationally. UGA is an R1 institution — meaning “very high research activity” — and it consistently ranks among the top public universities in the U.S.
UGA’s **Landscape Architecture / Environmental Design** program (College of Environment & Design) is nationally recognized — often ranked **#1 for undergrad landscape architecture programs** in the U.S.
- Terry College of Business – multiple undergraduate programs in the top 10 nationally, including Risk Management & Insurance (#1), along with high rankings in Real Estate, MIS, and Accounting
- School of Public & International Affairs (SPIA) – UGA’s public affairs graduate programs rank about **#3 or #4 in the nation** depending on specialty
- Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication – consistently ranked among the **top 5 journalism schools** in the U.S., and home to the prestigious Peabody Awards
- School of Law – high marks for value, employment outcomes, and federal clerkship placement; routinely ranked among the **top law schools nationally**
- Veterinary Medicine & Pharmacy – UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine is ranked **top 10**, and its Pharmacy College is in the **top 25** nationally
- UGA Overall – recognized as one of the **top 20 public universities** in the U.S., praised for value, student life, and alumni networks by Princeton Review and Niche rankings
🎖 UGA Morehead Honors College
Admission isn’t automatic. If your student applies to UGA by the Nov 1 Early Action deadline, they’ll be considered for Honors. Only the top slice of admitted students are invited — often with near-perfect GPAs, test scores, and strong extracurriculars.
What Honors provides:
- Priority registration and smaller Honors-only courses
- Dedicated faculty mentoring and research opportunities (CURO)
- Optional Honors housing (Myers Hall)
- Access to competitive scholarships (see table below)
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Fellowship | Full cost of attendance + travel + research + enrichment stipends | Admitted to Honors; ACT 33+ / SAT 1500+, 4.0 GPA; top 1–2% nationally; leadership & service depth | Yes — Early Action + Fellowship application by Nov 1 | Yes — 4 years with GPA and engagement | ~25 new Fellows per year nationwide; one of the most selective merit programs in the U.S. |
| Ramsey Honors Scholarship | $6,160/year (in-state) or $13,040/year (out-of-state) | Admitted to Honors; ACT 31+ / SAT 1390+, GPA ~4.0; service or academic distinction | Yes — Early Action + Honors application by Nov 1 | Yes — up to 4 years | ~25 awarded per year; high-achieving Honors admits with leadership/service emphasis |
Disclaimer: Numbers and eligibility are approximate based on past years. Always confirm on the UGA Morehead Honors College site before relying on cutoffs.
❓ Honors College FAQ
Who actually gets into UGA’s Honors College?
Typically, students with near-perfect transcripts (4.0 unweighted, 4.4+ weighted), ACT 32–34 or SAT 1450–1520, plus strong leadership or service. But UGA does holistic review — so standout essays, research, or unique impact can help.
Do you have to be in Honors to win Foundation or Ramsey?
Yes. Both scholarships are tied directly to the Honors College. You won’t even be considered unless you apply by the Nov 1 Early Action deadline and qualify for Honors admission.
Are Foundation Fellows full rides?
They’re better. Foundation Fellows cover the full cost of attendance, plus travel stipends, research grants, and study abroad funding. Few awards in the U.S. match this package.
What happens if my GPA slips once I’m in?
You have to maintain GPA and engagement standards to renew. Falling below the benchmark can risk both your scholarship and your spot in Honors, though UGA sometimes allows probation and recovery semesters.
🔗 Official Links
📌 Final Thoughts on UGA Scholarships
At the University of Georgia, most families rely on a mix of state aid (HOPE and Zell), UGA’s selective merit, and hidden gems like alumni, departmental, or band awards. Out-of-state students can land generous automatic aid if they’re top of the pool, but the biggest prizes—like the Foundation Fellowship—require essays, interviews, and a true stand-out profile.
The takeaway: treat HOPE and Zell as your baseline if you’re in-state, and see everything else as bonus. If you’re out-of-state, a high test score and early application matter even more. And no matter where you’re from, don’t overlook the smaller scholarships tucked away in UGA’s colleges, alumni network, or programs like ROTC and Redcoat Marching Band. They won’t cover everything, but they can close the gap.
Bottom line: UGA rewards strong academics, leadership, and initiative. Apply early, keep grades up, and stack every layer of aid you can.
Last updated: August 2025