The HOPE Scholarship Program has helped 1.8 million Georgia students go to college.
Late Georgia Gov. Zell Miller established the merit-based program 25 years ago in 1993.
As many eager parents get ready to watch their seniors take the next steps in higher education, some kindergarten parents may wonder if HOPE will still be around when their children turn the tassel.
LaTrevian Haugabook says he is ready to graduate from Central High School and start classes at Georgia Southern next fall.
"Everybody's just so proud of me," he says with a big smile, surrounded by stacks of books.
Dressed in a suit and bow-tie, Haugabook takes pride, not only in his appearance, but also his academics.
"I've always been fascinated with space," the senior says.
He plans to study Aerospace Engineering and wants a job at NASA one day.
He admits, however, college was not always part of his plan.
With a mother who battled breast cancer, medical bills took the place of college savings.
Despite a rocky start with grades at the beginning of high school, Haugabook says he knew he had to make some changes and hit the books to get to where he wanted to be.
When he learned he would be receiving the HOPE scholarship, Haugabook says his NASA dreams could finally take off.
"I almost cried, to be honest. I didn't think I was going to get it," he said.
He says his NASA dreams could actually take off.
McKenzie Davis already has college costs in mind, even though her daughter Kallie is only starting Kindergarten.
As a single mom, she says she has to look ahead to the bigger picture.
She knows the kitchen table now covered in markers and construction paper will eventually be covered with textbooks and worksheets.
"It is worrisome to think about her not being able to go to college because I don't have the money," says Davis. "In 12 years, anything can happen."
Chris Green with the Georgia Student Finance Commission, which administers HOPE, says the scholarship will not be going anywhere.
"The Hope Program will be available to many generations yet to come," he told WMAZ over the phone.
When it was first created, the HOPE Scholarship used to cover all tuition and fees for in-state students.
After the recession in 2011, Gov. Nathan Deal made changes in an effort to preserve its longevity.
"Some of those changes included elimination of a book and fee award, but more so the award rate calculation changes," Green explains.
Instead of being based on tuition, it is now based on something called a factor rate, which is a percentage of what HOPE paid the previous year.
Put simply, the size of your HOPE scholarship award depends based on what school the student goes to and how many credit hours they take.
State leaders say that change, plus the stability of HOPE's funding source, the Georgia Lottery, should keep the scholarship stable.
A statement from Lottery communications director Nia Roberts says profits grew for the past six fiscal years, bringing in a record $1.101 billion for education in fiscal year 2017.
One study done in 2016 predicted HOPE would run out by 2028.
It was done by a group called The Committee to Preserve the HOPE Scholarship.
When asked about it, Green pointed out the report was done by a pro-casino group, using the HOPE issue to argue for more legalized gambling in the state. He also says their math was faulty.
"The numbers are also based on a seven percent annual tuition every year for every institution over the next ten years," he says, "The Board of Regents already announced there will be no tuition increase for next year."
Haugabook is grateful HOPE will help him reach his goals.
"I feel like that is very important for those who may not be so fortunate, but may be deserving of having it. I think they should also have the same opportunity that I have," he explains.
Davis says she is optimistic, but still saving as much as she can.
"I want to hold on to hope for the HOPE," says Davis.
Based on current trends, the HOPE scholarship will be around for our current kindergartners -- the future Class of 2031.
However, it may not look the same as it does now, factoring in possible changes in tuition, student enrollment, and future legislation.
This year, the HOPE program reached the $10 billion mark for financial aid awarded to students.
In order to qualify for the HOPE Scholarship, students must have at least a 3.0 GPA.
The Zell Miller Scholarship is another award under the HOPE Program. Students need a 3.7 GPA to qualify and it covers all of tuition.
To learn more about the various grants and scholarships available, and exactly how much you can receive from HOPE, you can watch the video below:
