College & Career Planning / Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid & Scholarships

The Discovery High School Counseling Department is committed to aiding ALL students in their post-secondary endeavors. There are numerous resources available for finding funding for post-secondary institutions. Financial Aid is any grant or scholarship, loan, or paid employment offered to help a student meet his/her college expenses. The links below can provide useful information for students and parents. Your counselor is also available to help by appointment. Find out who your counselor is here.

Dr. Gene Taylor Great Titan Leader Award

Up to two Discovery High School seniors who have met the Gwinnett County Board of Education and State of Georgia graduation requirements within four consecutive years of the annual four-year cohort Spring. “Dr. Gene Taylor ‘You’re a Great Titan’ Leadership Award” and receive a $1,500 scholarship to be spent as the recipients choose.

Interested Spring Discovery High School graduates who qualify need to submit to Dr. Taylor an essay that shall not exceed 1000 words in length, explaining why they should receive the award based on demonstrated excellence in the following areas:

o Academic achievement
o Extra and co-curricular involvement
o Citizenship, including volunteerism
o Attendance
o Conduct
o Ability to Overcome Challenges and/or Hardships

Essays need to be emailed to: gene.taylor@gcpsk12.org and must be received by 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, April 12, 2025 to be considered.

Dr. Taylor will select the recipient(s) of the award and scholarship based on the above criteria which will be presented by the Discovery High School Administration at the event / ceremony / time it deems appropriate.

HOPE Scholarship

Georgia's HOPE Scholarship is available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. GPA requirement for HOPE is a 3.0 academic GPA (Math, Science, Social Studies, English, and Foreign Language courses).

Visit GAFutures for more information regarding HOPE Scholarship

Zell Miller Scholarship

Georgia's Zell Miller Scholarship is available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. GPA requirement is a 3.7 academic GPA (Math, Science, Social Studies, English, and Foreign Language courses). Additionally, students must earn a 1200 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT.

Visit GAFutures for more information regarding Zell Miller Scholarship

Tracking HOPE &Zell Miller GPA

Track your HOPE/Zell Miller GPA here

HOPE Grant

Georgia's HOPE Grant (a separate program from the HOPE Scholarship) is available to Georgia residents who are working towards a certificate or diploma (continuing education programs are not eligible) at an eligible college or university in Georgia. Students attending technical colleges may utilize the HOPE Grant. There is no GPA requirement upon graduation for students to receive the HOPE Grant; however, students must maintain a 2.0 GPA at certain checkpoints while in college.

Visit GAFutures for more information regarding HOPE Grant

Zell Miller Grant

Georgia's Zell Miller Grant is available to Georgia residents who are working towards a certificate or diploma at a Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) or University System of Georgia (USG) institution. There is no GPA requirement upon graduation; however, students must maintain a 3.5 GPA at certain checkpoints during college.

Visit GAFutures for more information on Zell Miller Grant

HOPE Career Grant

The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. These industries have been identified as strategically important to the state’s economic growth.

Visit GAFutures for more information regarding HOPE Career Grant

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, is the form to apply for financial aid for college. The FAFSA should be completed during a student's senior year.

FAFSA Website