Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG)—budget information
In the FY2011 general budget, the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) received an appropriation of $611 million. Of these funds 52 percent, or $319 million, were state general funds, 76 percent, or $462 million, were agency funds (again mainly tuition) and 10 percent, or $58 million, were federal funds.
For FY2012 to achieve the 6 percent, 8 percent and 10 percent budget reductions instructed by the Office of Planning and Budget, which account for $19 million, $26 million, and $32 million respectively, TCSG offers personnel reductions as well as operational reductions to academic programs and economic development initiatives.
In FY2012, TCSG’s budget request also included a $62,958,746 formula increase for enrollment and operational costs. TCSG experienced substantial growth in credit hours in FY2010 (nearly 26 percent compared to 10 percent in FY2009).
Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC)—budget information
In the FY2011 general budget, the Georgia Student Finance Commission received an appropriation of $806,692,404. More than 96 percent of these funds were lottery proceeds, 4 percent, or $32,756,834, were state general funds and less than 1 percent, or $1,299,965, were federal funds.
Roughly 67 percent of lottery funds in FY2011 supported the HOPE programs:
• HOPE Administration: $6,985,800 (0.6 percent of total lottery proceeds)
• HOPE GED: $2,573,864 (0.2 percent of total lottery proceeds)
• HOPE Grant: $206,318,361 (18.3 percent of total lottery proceeds)
• HOPE Scholarships-private colleges: $59,332,133 (5.3 percent of total lottery proceeds)
• HOPE Scholarships-public colleges: $474,575,353 (42.1 percent of total lottery proceeds)
GSFC also provides scholarship administration and oversight for HOPE and several other state funded awards including the College Opportunity Grant, a grant for need-based applicants who provide public service, and the Accel scholarship, a grant for dual enrollment in high school and higher education institutions.
In order to meet the governor’s request for reductions, GSFC has proposed reductions for Tuition Equalization Grants (TEG), which provides grant aid to residents who attend a private higher education institution, and the Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission.
In the FY2012 budget request, GSFC requested additional lottery funds for the following programs in order to meet projected need.
· Accel: $1,635,375. Program provides funds for dual enrollment in high school and higher education institutions.
• HOPE GED: $226,136
• HOPE Grant: $33,336,916
• HOPE Scholarship—private schools: $8,377,211
• HOPE Scholarship—public schools: $79,795,769
In the FY2011 budget, $1.1 billion in lottery funds were appropriated but only $883 million was received from the Lottery Commission. These increases only add to the spending gap. Fortunately reserves will cover this difference in the short term, but it will only last a year or two more.
When the General Assembly convenes, one of the top priorities will be taking a look at what can be done to balance spending with revenues in lottery programs.
I may be reached at:
234 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-5038 (phone)
(404) 657-7094 (fax)
E-mail at Jack.Hill@senate.ga.gov
Or call toll-free at
1-800-367-3334 day or night
Reidsville office: (912) 557-3811
