ATLANTA (March 6, 2024) – Today, Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta) announced a bipartisan effort to expand access to post-secondary education for Georgia students. Senate Bill 526, the “Good Faith Grant Act,” co-sponsored by Chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher Education Sen. Billy Hickman (R–Statesboro) and Sen. Sally Harrell (D–Atlanta), creates a comprehensive needs-based scholarship program for Georgia students that qualify for college admissions, but might not qualify for the Hope Scholarship. Georgia is one of just a few states that does not have a needs-based scholarship program.
“A couple of years ago, a group of high school counselors reached out to legislators to discuss the need for a comprehensive scholarship program for students who have met the criteria to attend college, but don’t have enough money. Sen. Nan Orrock (D–Atlanta), who has been one of my mentors for many years, joined us and we began meeting regularly in a workgroup,” said Sen. Harrell. “We were thrilled that our Republican colleagues recognized that the Good Faith Grants were a great way to enhance Governor Brian P. Kemp’s Georgia Match Program that’s already guided thousands of Georgia students toward higher education, ensuring those that qualify for college can afford to attend.”
To be eligible for a Good Faith Program Grant, students must be incoming freshmen seeking a degree at a Georgia post-secondary institution after completing an accredited public, private, or home secondary school program with at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average. Students must demonstrate financial need, apply for federal student aid via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and qualify for in-state tuition.
Sen. Harrell will be working with Chairman Hickman and others to strengthen the bill over the interim in preparation for the next legislative session.
You can find a link to the filed legislation here.
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Sen. Sally Harrell represents the 40th Senate District which includes portions of DeKalb and Gwinnett counties. She may be reached by phone at (404) 463-2260 via email at sally.harrell@senate.ga.gov.