7-1807-4864 
 
Georgia House of Representatives Public Information Office 
Room 131, State Capitol 30334 404-656-5082 1-800-282-5800 
 
July 3, 2003 
 
For Immediate Release 
 
McBee Tapped to Head HOPE Scholarship Study Committee 
 
Aim is to Keep Program Solvent in the Face of Rising Tuition Costs 
Atlanta Representative Louise McBee (D-Athens) has been named Co-Chairperson of the HOPE Scholarship Joint Study Committee which will undertake a study of the conditions, needs, and issues related to the HOPE Scholarship and recommend any legislation it deems necessary to improve the program for the future. She was named to the post by House Speaker Terry Coleman (D-Eastman). 
 
The 2004 state budget earmarked $440 million to provide around 263,000 students with a HOPE Scholarship however the Board of Regents, which oversees Georgia's 34 public colleges and universities, recently approved the biggest tuition increase in 18 years costing the HOPE fund an extra $22.4 million. 
 
"Were going to look at every aspect of the HOPE Scholarship to see what ways we can trim costs so this valuable program, which provides so many Georgians with a free college education, remains a viable option well into the future," said McBee. "I am thankful for my appointment and look forward to working 
 
The scholarship, which is funded entirely by lottery proceeds, pays for tuition, books and other fees for Georgia students who graduate with a B-average or better and maintain those grades throughout college. More than 675,000 students have received the HOPE Scholarship since 1993 costing $1.8 billion. 
Other members of the General Assembly who will serve on the Joint Committee include Rep. Gerald Greene (D-Cuthbert), Rep. DuBose Porter (D-Dublin), Rep. Bob Holmes (D-Atlanta), Sen. Bill Hammerick (R-Douglasville), Sen. Jack Hill (R-Reidville), Sen. Rene Kemp (D-Hinesville) and Sen. Tommie Williams (R-Lyons). 
*** For further information please contact Rep. McBee at 404-656-5069.