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HOPE Scholarship Update for Class of 2015, 2016, and 2017

HOPE Rigor Requirements Pursuant to HB 326/O.C.G.A. Section 20-2-157

Georgia Code 20-2-157 requires that certain course credits must be earned in order for students to be eligible for a HOPE Scholarship. The requirements are as follows:

Beginning with students graduating from high school on or after May 1, 2015, in order to be eligible to receive a HOPE scholarship, a student must receive at least two credits in courses from the following categories, prior to graduating from high school:

1) Advanced math, such as Advanced Algebra and Trigonometry, Math III, or an equivalent or higher course;

2) Advanced science, such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology II, or an equivalent or higher course;

3) Advanced Placement courses in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies, and foreign language);

4) International Baccalaureate courses in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies and foreign language);

5) Courses taken at a unit of the University System of Georgia in core subjects (English, math, science, social studies and foreign language) where such courses are not remedial and developmental courses; or

6) Advanced foreign language courses.

Students graduating from high school on or after May 1, 2016, must receive at least three credits in courses from the above categories, prior to graduating from high school; students graduating from high school on or after May 1, 2017, must receive at least four credits in courses from the above categories, prior to graduating from high school. Students may earn one or more credits in each category; provided, however, that an earned course credit may only be counted one time toward the credit requirement. If a course is assigned one-half credit, the student must take another half-credit course in the categories listed in order to satisfy one course credit requirement. Students should review the credits assigned to courses to determine satisfaction of the above requirements.

The attached "Listing of Courses Possessing Academic Rigor That Will Meet the HOPE Rigor Requirements" is the comprehensive list of all courses offered at WHS that meet the rigor requirements in 2015, 2016 and 2017.