Georgia HERO scholarship program : 2008-2009 academic year

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Helping Students Plan, Apply and Pay for College
Georgia HERO Scholarship Program
2008-2009 Academic Year
Georgia Student Finance Commission

What is the HERO program?
The Georgia HERO (Helping Educate Reservists and their Offspring) Scholarship Program was created to give financial assistance for college to members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reserves who have served in a combat zone. The children of such service men and women and their surviving spouses are also eligible to receive the scholarship. The HERO program is one way to say thank you to the military personnel who have sacrificed so much on behalf of our nation and its citizens. The educational grant assistance can help returning soldiers, spouses and their children attend college and prepare for a more prosperous future. The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) proudly administers this scholarship program.
What do I receive?
Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservist recipients and surviving spouses of such service men and women may receive up to $2,000 per academic year for a maximum of $8,000 for the equivalent of four years of study. Children of Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservist may receive up to $2,000 per academic year for each qualifying term of service of 181 cumulative days for a maximum of $8,000 for the equivalent of four years of study. Award amounts are prorated for school terms in which the recipients are enrolled for less than full time (12 hours).
Do I qualify?
To be eligible for a HERO Scholarship, you must meet one of the following criteria:
Be a Georgia resident who is an active member of the Georgia National Guard or U.S. Military Reserves who was deployed outside the United States for active duty service on or after February 1, 2003 to a location designated as a combat zone and served in such combat zone for 181 cumulative days or who was totally disabled or was evacuated from such combat zone due to severe injuries; or
Be a daughter or son:
1) Whose parent was a member of the Georgia National Guard or U.S. Military Reserves who was deployed outside of the United States for active duty service on or after February 1, 2003 to a location designated as a combat zone and served in such combat zone for at least 181 cumulative days, or
2) Whose parent was killed, totally disabled or was evacuated from such combat zone due to severe injuries regardless of the time the parent was on active service in such combat zone, and

3) Who must have been born prior to the qualifying term of service or within nine months of the beginning of the qualifying term of service and must have been 25 years of age or younger during the qualifying term of service.
Be a surviving spouse of a service man or woman, deployed outside of the United States to a combat zone after February 1, 2003, killed in such zone or as a result of injuries received there.
In addition, all students must also meet the following general requirements:
Be enrolled or accepted for admission at an eligible Georgia college or university. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien as defined by GSFC. Maintain satisfactory academic progress in accordance with Federal Title IV standards and practices of the institution. Meet Federal Selective Service registration requirements. Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990. Not be in default on any GSFC or Federal education loan. Not owe a refund on any GSFC or Federal grant or scholarship.
How do I apply?
A printable application is located on the GAcollege411.org website. The documentation required includes a copy of the DD214 military record or other acceptable military documentation for the Georgia National Guard member or the U.S. Military Reservist. Other documentation required is determined by the status of the applicant seeking to receive a scholarship.
Applications must be submitted to GSFC before July 1, 2010, or within two years after the date the student becomes eligible, whichever is later.
For official program regulations on this and other scholarships, grants and loans, please visit the Paying for College tab on GAcollege411.org.
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