The Georgia Student Finance Commission will be offering two new scholarships beginning Fall Semester 2026, announced South Georgia Technical College Director of Financial Aid Kelly Everett. The scholarships are DREAMS Scholarship and the Foster Care Scholarship.
The DREAMS (Dedicating Resources to Educationally Advance More Students) Scholarship is the state’s first-ever needs-based college aid program. Eligible students can receive up to $3,000 per academic year to cover unmet financial need. More information about this new scholarship can be found at: https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/scholarships-grants/dreams/
To be eligible, students must meet U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizen requirements; be a legal resident of Georgia; be enrolled in six or more credit hours at a Georgia public college, university, or technical college; be enrolled in an associate or bachelor’s degree; must not have previously earned a Baccalaureate Degree; be in compliance with the Selective Service registration requirements; and be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990 and not be in default or owe a refund on a student financial aid program.
Students can apply at www.gafutures.org. The scholarship caps after eight semesters, regardless of amount received. Students must be Pell eligible and have unmet need and have a 2.0 HOPE GPA. There is also a work requirement of a minimum of 60 hours of paid/unpaid work before the second disbursement. This can include paid work, internship, externship, student teaching, clinicals, practicum, volunteer, or military service.
The other Georgia Student Finance Commission scholarship is the Foster Care Scholarship that provides eligible students assistance with Direct Costs at an eligible college or university while enrolled in an undergraduate program. Students may qualify for the scholarship through one of several eligibility pathways established in state law, including having been in foster care under the supervision of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services for at least six months after their 14th birthday.
To learn more or apply visit: https://www.gafutures.org/hope-state-aid-programs/scholarships-grants/foster-care-scholarship/.
Students attending or planning to attend a Foster Care Scholarship eligible college or university, may complete the Foster Care Scholarship Interest Form. Completing the form does not guarantee a scholarship, but it helps demonstrate need and interest for additional funding.
To be eligible for the Foster Care Scholarship students must complete the current year Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and successfully complete any required FAFSA verification process with the college’s financial aid office; complete and submit the one-time Foster Care Scholarship Application to GSFA; upload supporting documentation to GSFA through GAfutures; and all Foster Care Scholarship Recipients will need to confirm with GSFA continued enrollment at an eligible college so continued eligibility can be determined with the college. Students must also be less than 26-years of age, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and cannot have a bachelor’s degree. This is open to students enrolled in six or more credit hours in a certificate, diploma, or associate degree program.
For more information about these programs or financial aid opportunities at South Georgia Technical College reach out to SGTC Financial Aid Director Kelly Everett at keverett@southgatech.edu or 229-931-2351.
Fall Semester at SGTC begins August 17th and SGTC offers students the “Complete College Experience” with nationally ranked academics, student activities, and intercollegiate athletics. SGTC offers over 200 associate degree, diploma, and technical certificates of credit. Apply today at www.southgatech.edu and click on the “Apply Now” button on the top right-hand side of the home page.