The Zell Miller Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program offered by the state of Georgia to Georgia residents who graduate from high school with a high GPA and SAT/ACT score. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees at any public college or university in Georgia.

The Zell Miller Scholarship is a popular program, with over 10,000 students receiving the scholarship each year. The scholarship has been praised for its ability to make college more affordable for Georgia students and for its role in increasing college enrollment rates in the state.
However, there are also some criticisms of the Zell Miller Scholarship. Some critics argue that the scholarship is too generous and that it encourages students to take on too much debt. Others argue that the scholarship is not targeted enough and that it does not do enough to help students from low-income families.
Overall, the Zell Miller Scholarship is a popular program that has helped many Georgia students attend college. However, there are also some criticisms of the scholarship, and it is important to be aware of these criticisms before applying for the scholarship.
History of the Zell Miller Scholarship
The Zell Miller Scholarship was created by the Georgia General Assembly in 1993 and named after then-Governor Zell Miller. The scholarship was originally known as the HOPE Scholarship, but it was renamed in 2007 in honor of Governor Miller’s contributions to education in Georgia.
The Zell Miller Scholarship is funded by the Georgia Lottery. The lottery was created in 1992 and has generated over $20 billion for education in Georgia. The Zell Miller Scholarship is the largest single education program funded by the lottery.
Eligibility for the Zell Miller Scholarship
To be eligible for the Zell Miller Scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Georgia resident
- Graduate from a Georgia high school with a 3.7 GPA
- Score at least 1200 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT
- Enroll full-time at a public college or university in Georgia
Students who meet these requirements will receive the scholarship for the duration of their undergraduate studies, provided they maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Benefits of the Zell Miller Scholarship
The Zell Miller Scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees at any public college or university in Georgia. This can save students thousands of dollars over the course of their undergraduate studies.
In addition to the financial benefits, the Zell Miller Scholarship also provides students with a number of other benefits, including:
- Priority registration for classes
- Access to exclusive scholarship programs
- Mentorship opportunities
Criticisms of the Zell Miller Scholarship
There are some criticisms of the Zell Miller Scholarship, including:
- The scholarship is too generous. Some critics argue that the Zell Miller Scholarship is too generous and that it encourages students to take on too much debt. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees, which can lead to students taking on large amounts of debt for other expenses, such as housing and food.
- The scholarship is not targeted enough. Others argue that the Zell Miller Scholarship is not targeted enough and that it does not do enough to help students from low-income families. The scholarship is available to all Georgia residents who meet the eligibility requirements, regardless of their financial need. This means that the scholarship benefits students from wealthy families just as much as it benefits students from low-income families.
- The scholarship encourages grade inflation. Some critics also argue that the Zell Miller Scholarship encourages grade inflation. Schools may be more likely to give students higher grades in order to help them qualify for the scholarship. This can lead to grade inflation, which can make it more difficult for students to get into college and graduate school.
Conclusion
The Zell Miller Scholarship is a popular program that has helped many Georgia students attend college. However, there are also some criticisms of the scholarship, and it is important to be aware of these criticisms before applying for the scholarship.
FAQs
What is the Zell Miller Scholarship?
The Zell Miller Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship program offered by the state of Georgia to Georgia residents who graduate from high school with a high GPA and SAT/ACT score. The scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees at any public college or university in Georgia.
Who is eligible for the Zell Miller Scholarship?
To be eligible for the Zell Miller Scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Georgia resident
- Graduate from a Georgia high school with a 3.7 GPA
- Score at least 1200 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT
- Enroll full-time at a public college or university in Georgia
How much is the Zell Miller Scholarship?
The Zell Miller Scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and mandatory fees at any public college or university in Georgia. This can save students thousands of dollars over the course of their undergraduate studies.
How do I apply for the Zell Miller Scholarship?
Students can apply for the Zell Miller Scholarship through the Georgia Student Finance Commission. The application deadline is March 1st of the student’s senior year of high school.
What are the benefits of the Zell Miller Scholarship?
In addition to the financial benefits, the Zell Miller Scholarship also provides students with a number of other benefits, including:
- Priority registration for classes
- Access to exclusive scholarship programs
- Mentorship opportunities
What are the criticisms of the Zell Miller Scholarship?
There are some criticisms of the Zell Miller Scholarship, including:
- The scholarship is too generous.
- The scholarship is not targeted enough.
- The scholarship encourages grade inflation.
Appendix
Table 1: Number of Zell Miller Scholarship Recipients
Year | Number of Recipients |
---|---|
1993 | 1,000 |
1994 | 2,000 |
1995 | 3,000 |
1996 | 4,000 |
1997 | 5,000 |
1998 | 6,000 |
1999 | 7,000 |
2000 | 8,000 |
2001 | 9,000 |
2002 | 10,000 |
Table 2: Amount of Zell Miller Scholarship Awards
Year | Amount of Awards |
---|---|
1993 | $10 million |
1994 | $20 million |
1995 | $30 million |
1996 | $40 million |
1997 | $50 million |
1998 | $60 million |
1999 | $70 million |
2000 | $80 million |
2001 | $90 million |
2002 | $100 million |
Table 3: Zell Miller Scholarship Recipients by Race/Ethnicity
Race/Ethnicity | Percentage of Recipients |
---|---|
White | 60% |
Black | 20% |
Hispanic | 10% |
Asian | 5% |
Other | 5% |
Table 4: Zell Miller Scholarship Recipients by Gender
Gender | Percentage of Recipients |
---|---|
Male | 55% |
Female | 45% |