Georgia's FREE Tuition Short-Term Programs for In-Demand Careers
in Georgia = HOPE Career Grant
FREE Tuition Short-Term Programs for In-Demand Careers in Georgia = HOPE Career Grant
For detailed information, go to GaFutures at https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/hope-zell-miller-grants/hope-career-grant/. Here you will find the overview of the grant, eligible programs, award amounts, eligible colleges and universities, and application procedure and deadline information.
There are 17 pages of eligible program “majors specifically aligned with industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them.” These areas are NEEDED NOW! The HOPE Career grant will pay tuition for Technical Certificates of Credit and Diplomas (short-term programs=less than 2 years of educational investment time) in these in-demand areas. For the list of program majors, visit https://www.gafutures.org/media/m30pres4/hope-career-grant-programs-of-study-fy-2025-08-20-2024.pdf.
The areas of need majors are listed below.
Automotive Technology
Aviation Technology
Certified Engineer Assistant
Commercial Truck Driving
Computer Programming
Computer Technology
Construction
Diesel Equipment Technology
Early Childhood Care and Education
Electrical Lineman Technology
Health Science
Industrial Maintenance
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
Logistics
Movie Production Set Design
Practical Nursing
Precision Manufacturing
Welding and Joining Technology
For more information, you may visit the Technical College System of Georgia's "High Demand Career Fields" page. The following links go to information about the HOPE Career Grant in-demand programs offered at technical colleges in our area: Athens Technical College , Augusta Technical College, Oconee Fall Line Technical College (Sandersville). Some programs of study are available at campuses close to us in Elberton, Thomson, and Sandersville.
DEFINITIONS
Technical Certificate of Credit (TCC) - program designed to meet a specific educational need to prepare students, or to update their skills, for the workforce. A TCC has a range of 9-39 credit hours required for completion. Some TCCs may be embedded in the coursework for the degree or diploma. Technical certificates of credit may require any combination of general education, occupational courses, and/or approved elective courses. (Source: http://chattahoocheetech.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2018-2019/General-Catalog/Programs-of-Study/Technical-Certificates-of-Credit)
Diploma - program comprised of general core courses and occupational courses, with a range of 40-59 semester credit hours required for graduation; some programs may exceed 59 credit hours to meet professional credentialing or licensure or by official exception of the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia. A minimum of 28 semester credit hours are required in occupational courses. Each diploma program requires a minimum of 8 semester credit hours in basic skills general core courses. (Source: http://chattahoocheetech.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2018-2019/General-Catalog/Academics/Diplomas)