North Georgia cadet
scholarships
Each year the Legislature appropriates funds for 42 “full ride” scholarships to Georgia high school seniors under the University of North Georgia Military Scholarship Program. This is a four-year scholarship paying tuition, fees, books, meals, room and board and uniforms and a monthly stipend. The value of the scholarship well exceeds $75,000. In exchange for the scholarship, recipients must agree to serve in the military for at least the same number of years that they received the scholarship.
Eligibility criteria include being a Georgia resident, having good moral character, being physically and mentally fit, belonging to the National Guard, having a 3.0 GPA high school average, scoring 920 on the SAT (480 Math), 26 sub score for reading, or a 20 Composite score on the ACT (20 English,/18 Math) and meet UNG Cadet Admissions Standards. Graduates receive a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Georgia National Guard.
Cadets also receive pay for Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as well as an enlistment bonus, weekend drill pay, annual training pay, the Montgomery GI Bill and time in service. Students can apply online at https://ungms.ung.edu/apply/. The deadline to apply is Feb. 1, 2018 but applications are encouraged before Dec. 31, 2017. Additional information can be found at www.ung.edu/cadet/scholarships. A letter of recommendation from a Ga. State Representative or Senator is required.

Governor adds new courses to HOPE grants
The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, provides free tuition for students pursuing diplomas or certificates in high-demand fields that have been identified as strategically important to the state’s economic growth.
The Career Grant is available for HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select programs of study specifically aligned with industrial courses for which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. Recently, Governor Deal added five additional high-demand industries for which students can receive free tuition; increasing the total number of programs that qualify for the grant to 17.
The latest new fields include Aviation Maintenance, Automotive Technology, Distribution/Materials Management, Electrical Line Working and several new construction related programs.
The present 12 High Demand Career courses include:
Certified Engineer Assistant
Health Science
Commercial Truck Driving
Industrial Maintenance
Computer Programming
Movie Production Set Design
Computer Technology
Practical Nursing
Diesel Equipment Technology
Precision Manufacturing
Early Childhood Care and Education
Welding and Joining Technology
Interested students can inquire on-line at https://tcsg.edu/home/for-students/paying-for-college/

Dual enrollment — A good deal for high school students
What was known as “Move on When Ready” is now Dual Enrollment and students and parents are learning what a wonderful opportunity this option offers. Students can gain college credit and/or occupation certificate training virtually cost-free.
High school students can enroll in technical courses and earn a certificate at the same time they earn a high school diploma. They can also earn college credits towards the core curriculum and enable them to graduate from college sooner.
Funding for Dual Enrollment was increased in the FY 18 Budget by some $21.021 million bringing the total state investment to $78.839 million. Local systems continue to be paid for student’s attendance and joint enrolled students receive free tuition and basic course books. Governor Deal has led the way in removing obstacles for Georgia high school students to enroll in colleges and universities statewide.

Three technical colleges serve the Fourth District
Three Technical Colleges include counties in the Fourth District in their service areas. High School students interested in Dual Enrollment can contact these institutions at the following links:
Ogeechee Technical College:
http://www.ogeecheetech.edu/future-students/mowr
Southeastern Technical College:
http://www.southeasterntech.edu/student-affairs/move-on-when-ready-degree-level.php
Savannah Technical College:
https://www.savannahtech.edu/academics/programs-for-high-school-students/

College dual enrollment — Georgia Southern
The deadline for Spring Semester Dual Enrollment is Dec. 1, 2017. Requires an SAT score of 1090, Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and ACT composite score of 21. Juniors and Seniors with a GPA of 3.0 eligible with counselor and parental approval. Must be on track for completion of high school curriculum.
http://students.georgiasouthern.edu/dualenrollment/home/announcements/

College dual enrollment —East Georgia State College
Required SAT score of 1050, 24 Reading/22 Math or an ACT score of 17 Math and 17, English, composite score of 20. High School GPA of 3.0 with approval of counselor and parents and must be on track with High School curriculum.
www.ega.edu/admissions_start_here/dual_enrollment_accel_student.