Georgia Code
Part 3 - Educational Programs
§ 20-2-157. Uniform Reporting System for Certain Purposes; Dual Credit Courses; Academic Eligibility Requirements to Receive Hope Scholarship

(a.1) As used in this Code section, the term “dual credit course” shall have the same meaning as in Code Section 20-2-161.3.
Grades for coursework that is classified as advanced placement, a dual credit course, or international baccalaureate shall be weighted uniformly by the Georgia Student Finance Commission in calculating the overall grade point averages for students, provided that the weighting of such course grades is uniformly applied to all students in this state taking the specified coursework. The sum of the equated grades shall be divided by the number of course grades, adjusted for term length, to yield a grade point average on a 4.0 scale;
(3.1) For students otherwise qualified and enrolling in the ninth grade for the first time during the 2008-2009 school year and thereafter, the Georgia Student Finance Commission shall calculate grade point averages for determining eligibility for the HOPE scholarship and other scholarships referenced in this Code section by equating each grade for a student in attempted coursework in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign language during the student’s ninth, tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grade year to a grade on a 4.0 scale, such that a grade of “A” = 4.0, a grade of “B” = 3.0, a grade of “C” = 2.0, a grade of “D” = 1.0, and a grade of “F” = 0. Grades for coursework that is classified as advanced placement, a dual credit course, or international baccalaureate shall be weighted uniformly by the Georgia Student Finance Commission in calculating the overall grade point averages for students, provided that the weighting of such course grades is uniformly applied to all students in this state taking the specified coursework. The sum of the equated grades shall be divided by the number of course grades, adjusted for term length, to yield a grade point average on a 4.0 scale; and
(3.1) Dual credit courses in core subjects;
Students may take one or more courses in each category; provided, however, that a course may only be counted one time. The Georgia Student Finance Commission shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the intent of this subsection.
(3.1) Dual credit courses in core subjects;
Students may take one or more courses in each category; provided, however, that a course may only be counted one time. The Georgia Student Finance Commission shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the intent of this subsection.
(3.1) Dual credit courses in core subjects;
Students may take one or more courses in each category; provided, however, that a course shall only be counted one time. The Georgia Student Finance Commission shall be authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out the intent of this subsection.
History. Code 1981, § 20-2-157 , enacted by Ga. L. 1994, p. 1057, § 1; Ga. L. 1998, p. 626, § 1; Ga. L. 2004, p. 922, § 1; Ga. L. 2009, p. 115, § 1/HB 313; Ga. L. 2010, p. 397, § 1/SB 340; Ga. L. 2011, p. 1, § 13/HB 326; Ga. L. 2011, p. 635, § 4/HB 186; Ga. L. 2013, p. 85, § 1/HB 131; Ga. L. 2014, p. 164, § 3A/HB 405; Ga. L. 2015, p. 120, § 2/SB 132; Ga. L. 2016, p. 832, § 1/HB 801.
The 2014 amendment, effective July 1, 2014, added subsection (g).
The 2015 amendment, effective July 1, 2015, substituted “Code Section 20-2-161.3” for “Code Section 20-2-159.5” at the end of subsection (a.1).
The 2016 amendment, effective July 1, 2016, inserted “computer science,” in paragraph (f)(2), and substituted “shall only” for “may only” in the first sentence of the undesignated ending paragraph of subsection (f).
Editor’s notes.
Ga. L. 1998, p. 626, § 3, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: “All rules and regulations previously adopted by the Georgia Student Finance Commission which pertain to HOPE grants, HOPE scholarships, HOPE GED vouchers, HOPE teacher’s scholarships, and PROMISE teacher’s scholarships are hereby ratified to the extent not inconsistent with this Act.”
Ga. L. 1998, p. 626, § 4, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: “This Act shall become effective July 1, 1998, and shall apply to scholarships and grants for the academic year beginning with the fall quarter or semester of 1998.”
Ga. L. 2011, p. 1, § 17/HB 326, not codified by the General Assembly, provides, in part, that the 2011 amendment shall be applicable to postsecondary students beginning in the fall of 2011.
Ga. L. 2011, p. 635, § 1/HB 186, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: “The General Assembly finds that:
“(1) Our state’s long-term prosperity depends on supporting an education system that is designed to prepare our students for a global economy;
“(2) High school students and parents must understand that they have options for career pathway programs of study that join a college-ready academic core with quality career, technical, and agricultural education studies that result in a high school diploma and preparation for success in advanced training, an associate’s degree, a baccalaureate degree, and a career;
“(3) Local school systems must provide every student with choices that are academically rigorous and aligned to opportunities in high-demand, high-skill, high-wage career fields and to postsecondary career and technical pathways leading to advanced credentials or degrees;
“(4) The State Board of Education, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, and the Board of Technical and Adult Education must work together so that academic courses that are embedded within career, technical, and agricultural education courses (CTAE) are given appropriate academic credit at the high school level and recognized at the postsecondary level;
“(5) Teachers should be provided with professional development opportunities that enforce the academically rigorous standards in relevant, project based coursework;
“(6) High school students should clearly understand the options for dual high school and postsecondary credit, and the state should properly fund these options;
“(7) Every state education agency, postsecondary institution, and local school system should provide all high school students with opportunities for accelerated learning through dual credit coursework leading to at least six postsecondary credits and have as a collective goal to graduate every student with postsecondary credit;
“(8) Georgia’s strategic industries must be partners in our public education system (secondary and postsecondary) so that they are assured that our high school graduates are prepared for success in the workforce;
“(9) Georgia’s public education system must incorporate many different types of assessments and certificates into their programs so that a student’s skill level is assessed and that it also has meaning to them for postsecondary and career success; and
“(10) Georgia’s students must understand that a high school diploma and some form of postsecondary credential are key to success in the workforce and earning a family living wage.”
Law reviews.
For article on the 2004 amendment of this Code section, see 21 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 107 (2004).
For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 115 (2011).
For article, “Education: Postsecondary Education,” see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 193 (2011).
For article on the 2016 amendment of this Code section, see 33 Georgia St. U.L. Rev. 183 (2016).