Brittany Edwards
Karen Morris
English 1102-XX
4 May 2011
Where is the HOPE
With all the stress of college, imagine what it would be like without the help of the HOPE Scholarship. For some people this change is not all that big, but for others this could be life changing. As of the twenty- third of February, Governor Nathan Deals proposed new cuts to the HOPE Scholarship. With this proposal, students who earn a three point seven grade point average or higher, and make at least a twelve hundred or better on the SAT will have full coverage of their college tuition. Those students that maintain a three point five grade point average will receive ninety percent of their college tuition covered, depending on the amount of money people invest into the lottery that year. Also with these new cuts there will no longer be any book funding or mandatory fees covered. Governor Deal fears that if changes are not made to the HOPE Scholarship the funds that sponsor the scholarship will run out by the year two- thousand and thirteen.
Some people are very content with the new decisions that are being placed into effect. Those who do not depend on the HOPE Scholarship see things differently that those who have no other means of going to college then using the HOPE Scholarship. Over the years, many people have taken advantage of financial aid and the HOPE Scholarship, but it is fair to take away money from the genuine scholars. There are very serious and dedicated students who will no longer be able to receive the financial help to assist them and make something of their life.
After making these changes many where angry and furious but did not quite understand why these changes were made. A student by the name of Kalab feels as though the government is taking away students futures and not taking the time to see how this new proposal is going to affect the students that are actually trying to make something of their lives. Kalab vents in his comment saying, “How could he try to take away the hope scholarship? That is the only way some people get to go to college and have a successful career. This is absolutely crazy! This will end up hurting our state in the long run. Thanks governor for ruining many people's chance of ever going to college and making something out of their life.” It seems as if the government is taking funds from all the wrong places. By taking away the HOPE Scholarship many students will now be denied the chance of furthering their education. Living in this era without education, it is almost impossible to make a comfortable living. For those students who are currently enrolled in a college or institution will soon be facing the harsh reality of dropping out of school. For many the HOPE Scholarship was their only means of attempting to further their education and now with the new requirements and stipulations that will no longer be an option for many scholars.
The main reason for Governor Deal’s proposal was the fear of not having enough money in the years to come, but how can someone make a decision that precise knowing the effect it will place on many students. Acknowledging the fact that many took the scholarship for granted and some even abused it, how could one make such a decision that will negatively impact so many innocent individuals who did the right thing. The HOPE Scholarship has sent more than one million Georgians to college. With the constant rise of college tuition and decline in lottery participants, the Governor argues that it is almost impossible to continue funding the scholarship. Things such as lottery participants and the cost of tuition should have been taken into account and thought about long before now. Government officials knew long before now to expect a rise in college tuition, and something should have been thought of over time, or the public should have been notified of these changes prior to the summer before applying the new changes. Once in college students must maintain a three point five grade point average, which is higher than most honor programs requirements.
Parents are not accepting the new changes as the government thought they would. Some parents feel as though paying for college is something that should be planned for and thought about prior to their student’s acceptance, but most parents are raging with anger. A student should not be denied the right to further their education because of a parent’s income or inability to pay for their schooling. What about those students who have managed to maintain a three point seven grade point average all high school long and they happen to not score as high on the SAT, then what, does all that hard work go to waste? On the Georgia Department of Economic Development website it states “the Hope scholarship program gives students the promise they need to make a difference in their future,” will this still hold truth? Some see this as just a mere change in the government, but to others this is the difference between comfortable living and making just enough money get by.
This year it may be changes in the HOPE Scholarship, who is to say what students will be faced with next year when trying to pursue college. As the year’s progress students are always threaten with the thought of having to move back home, but this heart wrenching thought has become reality for many. Not only will Georgia now have to worry about college dropout rates, they now may want to focus on providing more help to the high school students pursuing college. Many students may start to feel like what is the point in going to school, if I cannot go to college. Leaving behind all the new companions and friendships that were formed, many college students will be heading back to their home town in these next few months.
Work Cited
McCaffrey, Shannon “Sweeping Changes for Hope” Associated Press. 23 Feb. 2011. Web. 4 March. 2011
Sarann, Gabrielle “Georgia Governor Unveils Cuts to HOPE Scholarship” 24 Feb.2011. Web. 4 March. 2011
The Georgia Department of Economic Development “Hope Scholarship- Financial Aid- College Tuition” Web. 4 March. 2011
