Section 20-2-157. Uniform reporting system for certain purposes; dual credit courses; academic eligibility requirements to receive HOPE scholarship

   (a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to establish a uniform reporting system to be used as one of the criteria to determine eligibility of students seeking educational scholarships, grants, or loan assistance administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission pursuant to Article 7 of Chapter 3 of this title.

(a.1) As used in this Code section, the term "dual credit course" shall have the same meaning as in Code Section 20-2-159.5.

(b) Each school system and private school shall adopt the reporting system described in this subsection for purposes of identifying and qualifying graduating seniors for the HOPE scholarship program and other programs identified in this Code section:

   (1) Each school system and private school shall transmit, in a manner and at times prescribed by the Georgia Student Finance Commission, an electronic transcript of courses and course grades for each graduating senior that reflects the complete high school academic record of the student, including scores on any state tests required for graduation, the grading scales used by the school system or private school for the time periods referenced by the transcripts, and any other pertinent information as determined by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Each grade reported by a school system or private school to the commission for the purpose of calculating the grade point average for HOPE scholarship eligibility shall be the actual grade earned by the student, with no weighting or addition of points by the local school system or private school;

   (2) The Georgia Student Finance Commission shall calculate a grade point average for the purpose of determining eligibility for the HOPE scholarship from these electronic transcripts and shall notify students of their eligibility and high schools as to the eligibility of students;

   (3) For students otherwise qualified and enrolling as freshmen students in eligible public or private postsecondary institutions for the first time on May 1, 2007, or thereafter, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3.1) of this subsection, 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 as follows:

      (A) For students receiving a college preparatory diploma, each grade for a student in attempted coursework in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign language that would, if successfully completed, satisfy a core graduation requirement for the college preparatory curriculum shall be equated 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; or

      (B) For students receiving a career/technical diploma, each grade for a student in attempted coursework in English, mathematics, science, and social studies that would, if successfully completed, satisfy a core graduation requirement for the career/technical curriculum shall be equated 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;

   (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

   (4) Qualification for the HOPE scholarship shall be determined from the grade point average calculated either as set out in paragraph (3) of this subsection or as set out in paragraph (3.1) of this subsection for students enrolling in the ninth grade for the first time in a Georgia public school during the 2008-2009 school year and thereafter. Beginning May 1, 2007, students with grade point averages equal to or in excess of 3.0 on the 4.0 scale with a college preparatory diploma shall meet achievement standards for the HOPE scholarship; students receiving a career/technical diploma shall meet achievement standards for the HOPE scholarship with a grade point average equal to or in excess of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. For students enrolling in the ninth grade for the first time in a Georgia public school during the 2008-2009 school year and thereafter, such students with grade point averages equal to or in excess of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale shall meet achievement standards for the HOPE scholarship. This paragraph shall apply regardless of when a student graduated from high school and regardless of such student's eligibility status prior to May 1, 2007.

(c) (1) Beginning with the school year beginning after May 1, 2011, each school system and private school shall adopt the reporting system described in this subsection for purposes of determining potential eligibility for freshman, sophomore, and junior high school students for the HOPE scholarship program and other programs identified in this Code section.

   (2) Each school system and private school shall transmit to the Georgia Student Finance Commission, in such manner and at such times as the commission may prescribe, an electronic transcript of courses and course grades for each freshman, sophomore, and junior high school student that reflects the complete high school academic record of the student, including scores on any state tests required for graduation, the grading scales used by the school system or private school for the time periods referenced by the transcripts, and any other pertinent information as determined by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Each grade reported by a school system or private school to the commission for the purpose of calculating the grade point average for potential HOPE scholarship eligibility shall be the actual grade earned by the student with no weighting or addition of points by the school system or private school.

   (3) The Georgia Student Finance Commission shall calculate a grade point average for the purpose of determining eligibility for the HOPE scholarship from these electronic transcripts and shall notify students of their potential eligibility and high schools as to the potential eligibility of students.

(d) 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 shall receive credit in at least two courses prior to graduating from high school from the following categories:

   (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;

   (3.1) Dual credit courses in core subjects;

   (4) International baccalaureate courses in core subjects;

   (5) Courses taken at a unit of the University System of Georgia in core subjects where such courses are not remedial and developmental courses, as defined in Code Section 20-3-519; or

   (6) Advanced foreign language courses.

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.

(e) Beginning with students graduating from high school on or after May 1, 2016, in order to be eligible to receive a HOPE scholarship, a student shall receive credit in at least three courses prior to graduating from high school from the following categories:

   (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;

   (3.1) Dual credit courses in core subjects;

   (4) International baccalaureate courses in core subjects;

   (5) Courses taken at a unit of the University System of Georgia in core subjects where such courses are not remedial and developmental courses, as defined in Code Section 20-3-519; or

   (6) Advanced foreign language courses.

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.

(f) Beginning with students graduating from high school on or after May 1, 2017, in order to be eligible to receive a HOPE scholarship, a student shall receive credit in at least four courses prior to graduating from high school from the following categories:

   (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;

   (3.1) Dual credit courses in core subjects;

   (4) International baccalaureate courses in core subjects;

   (5) Courses taken at a unit of the University System of Georgia in core subjects where such courses are not remedial and developmental courses, as defined in Code Section 20-3-519; or

   (6) Advanced foreign language courses.

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.

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.