HOPE overhaul passes, Deal expected to sign bill early next week
That was quick, wasn’t it?
In just three short weeks, legislation to prevent the popular HOPE scholarship and pre-K funding program from going broke went from the House hopper to the governor’s desk. And to think that transportation funding legislation took only three years!
It was a glorious ride, was it not? A college journalist wrote a commendable piece that showed lottery officials had underfunded HOPE throughout the years. Protesters sounded their objections — one was reportedly arrested. And a freshman senator surprised us with a savvy attempt to place an income cap on the program. But today the state House of Representatives voted 136-32 to OK the measure. Gov. Nathan Deal is expected to sign the legislation, which he pushed, early next week.
Here’s a rundown of the approved changes. Covered tuition will now be tied to lottery revenues. Students will no longer get a break on books or fees and will have only one chance to regain the scholarship should their grade point average dip below 3.0. Star high schoolers — think valedictorians, salutatorians and students who graduate with a 3.7 GPA and 1200 SAT — will be eligible for a free ride.