Georgia HERO Scholarship Program Grant

The Georgia HERO Scholarship Program, managed by the Georgia Student Finance Commission, offers educational scholarships to members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservists who served in combat zones. It also extends benefits to their spouses and children, ensuring that those who have served the nation receive support for their educational goals. This initiative reflects Georgia's commitment to its military families and promotes access to higher education for those who have sacrificed for their country.

Note: 1) Applicants must file a Georgia HERO application for the initial HERO Scholarship award no later than two years after gaining eligibility. 2) A renewal application must be completed each academic year.
Georgia Student Finance Commission
First created to provide loans, the agency progressed to state- and lottery-funded scholarships, grants, service cancelable loan programs and providing free financial aid consultation.
Georgia HERO Scholarship program provides educational scholarship assistance to members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reservists who served in combat zones, and the children and the spouses of such members of the Georgia National Guard and U.S. Military Reserves.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for a Georgia HERO Scholarship, you must meet the requirements of one of the following four categories:

• Category 1

Be an active member of the Georgia National Guard or U.S. Military Reserves who is a Georgia resident and was deployed outside the United States for active duty service to a location designated as a combat zone and served in such combat zone for at least 181 cumulative days, beginning on or after February 1, 2003, or served less than 181 cumulative days in a combat zone, beginning on or after February 1, 2003, but was evacuated because of severe injuries.
Category 2Be the child of a parent who was a member of the Georgia National Guard or U.S. Military Reserves and a Georgia resident when he or she was deployed outside of the United States for active duty service to a location designated as a combat zone and served in such combat zone for at least 181 cumulative days, beginning on or after February 1, 2003, or served less than 181 cumulative days in a combat zone, beginning on or after February 1, 2003, but was evacuated because of severe injuries. Such child 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.Category 3Be the child of a parent who was a member of the Georgia National Guard or U.S. Military Reserves and a Georgia resident when he or she was deployed outside of the United States for active duty service to a location designated as a combat zone, beginning on or after February 1, 2003, and who was killed while serving in such combat zone, or died or became 100 percent disabled as a result of injuries received in such combat zone. Such child 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.Category 4Be the spouse of a former member of the Georgia National Guard or U.S. Military Reserves who was a Georgia resident when he or she was deployed outside of the United States for active duty service to a location designated as a combat zone, beginning on or after February 1, 2003, and who was killed while serving in such combat zone, or died or became 100 percent disabled as a result of injuries received in such combat zone.