• Scholarships & Financial Aid

  • How will I afford college?!

    This is a very, very common question! It's no secret that education and training after high school is not cheap. However, there are almost limitless resources available to students of all ranges of academic ability. While the money is out there, it does also require a lot of hard work, commitment, and follow through from the student to earn some of these resources. 

    To the right, you will find information about financial aid, HOPE, Zell, and more. Below, you will find a link to our scholarship bulletin, which is updated regularly, as well as a link to the Gwinnett County Schools Foundation Scholarship Catalog. 

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  • Colleges Visiting CHHS

    9/11 - Lenoir-Rhyne University Information Session, 8:00 AM. to 9:00 -Media Center
         -Registration Link: https://forms.gle/ndkJvL3Uf2Zk4vsW6
    9/18 - University of Georgia Information Session 8:00 to 9:00 AM
         -Registration Link: https://forms.gle/KYBAa18j1X99Xe9n7
    9/20 - Southwestern University will be here for a lunch visit in the Commons
    9/23 - Agnes Scott College will be here for a lunch visit in the Commons
    9/23 - Augusta University will be here for a lunch visit in the Commons

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  • Commonly Used Terms

    Scholarship

    • Financial Aid that is awarded without regard to need
    • Typically awarded based on performance, ability, skill, talent, or unique trait
    • No repayment required

    Grant

    • Financial Aid awarded based on need
    • No repayment required

    Loan

    • Money Borrowed to help a student pay college costs
    • Money must be repaid; however, some loans have provisions for repayment by working in certain jobs

    Work/Study

    • Getting a job on campus to help pay expenses; For example, Residence Advisor
    • Getting a job off campus to defray expenses

    HOPE/ZELL Scholarship/Grant

    • HOPE/ZELL Scholarship - State scholarship awarded based on merit for students attending 4-year a college/university in the state of Georgia
    • HOPE/ZELL Grant - State Grant awarded to students who are attending a technical school in the state of Georgia. No high school GPA requirement to receive the grant

    FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

    • All students applying for need-based financial aid must complete the FAFSA
    • All students wishing to obtain HOPE/ZELL Scholarship/Grant must complete the FAFSA
    • All students applying for governmental sponsored financial aid, including Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, & Work-Study program must complete the FAFSA

  • Financial Aid Planning

    Financial Aid Timeline - Links to an informational timeline and checklist designed to guide students and parents through the financial aid process. Details the time frame in which students should begin the process. 

    Financial Aid & College Affordability Planning - Extensive resource on various types of financial aid available and when and how to access those resources. Provides informaiton regarding topics such as FAFSA, Grants, HOPE/Zell programs, Loans, CSS Profile and more.

    Scholarship Toolkit - This is a resource students can use to map out their own scholarship timeline. It also includes helpful tips on how to create a strong scholarship profile. 

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  • HOPE/Zell Scholarship

    Hope Scholarship is available to Georgia residents who have demonstrated academic achievement. The scholarship provides money to assist students with the educational costs of attending a HOPE eligible postsecondary institution located in Georgia.

    • HOPE Scholarship Basic Information & Requirements
      •  Students must meet residency and citizenship/eligible non-citizen requirements.
      • To be eligible for HOPE scholarship, students must maintain a 3.0 CORE GPA throughout high school. Core classes include English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language courses. 
      • The scholarship will cover 80-90% of a student's academic tuition. This does NOT include institution fees, books, room & board, or any other expenses. 
      • Once in college, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA at the end of every spring term in order to continue their eligibility.
    • Zell Scholarship Basic Information & Requirements 
      • Students must meet residency and citizenship/eligible non-citizen requirements.
      • To be eligible for ZELL scholarship, students must maintain a 3.7 CORE GPA throughout high school. Core classes include English, Math, Science, Social Studies, and Foreign Language courses. 
      • Students must also earn a 1200 SAT score OR a 26 ACT score to be eligible for Zell Scholarship.
      • The scholarship will cover 100% of a student's academic tuition. This does NOT include institution fees, books, room & board, or any other expenses. 
      • Once in college, students must maintain a 3.3 GPA at the end of every spring term in order to continue their eligibility

    To apply for HOPE/Zell Scholarship, students must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Application. More information about FAFSA can be found on their website by clicking here.

    To determine HOPE/ZELL eligibility, students will need to create an account at www.gafutures.org. Counselors and Teachers do NOT have access to a students HOPE GPA. 

    For more extensive information regarding HOPE & Zell Scholarships, please visit www.gafutures.org. 

  • HOPE/Zell Grant

    HOPE/Zell Grant (A program separate from the HOPE/Zell Scholarship) is available to Georgia residents who are working toward a certificate or diploma at an eligible college or university in Georgia. 

    • HOPE Grant
      • Students must meet residency and citizenship/eligible non-citizen requirements.
      • No specific high school GPA is required, however students must maintain a postsecondary 2.0 GPA at certain checkpoints in order to remain eligible. 
      • The grant will cover a portion of your academic tuition. This does not include books, parking fees, transportation, etc. 

    • HOPE Career Grant 
      • HOPE Career Grant is a grant available to HOPE/Zell 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. 
      • Click here for a list of programs that qualify for this grant.
      • Award amounts range between $125-1000 per semester depending on the number of semester hours a student is taking and the program in which they're enrolled. 

    • Zell Grant
      • Students must meet residency and citizenship/eligible non-citizen requirements. 
      • No specific high school GPA is required, however students must maintain a postsecondary 3.5 GPA at certain checkpoints in order to remain eligible.
      • The grant will cover your academic tuition. This does not include books, parking fees, transportation, etc. 

    To apply for HOPE/Zell Grant, students must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Application. More information about FAFSA can be found on their website by clicking here.

    For more extensive information regarding HOPE & Zell Grant, please visit www.gafutures.org. 

  • Questions about FAFSA, HOPE, Zell, Scholarships, and/or Financial Aid

    Collins Hill proudly partners with Georgia Student Finance representative, Hal Wilkinson. Hal is an expert in his field, with extensive knowledge of the FAFSA process, scholarship availability, and more! Hal gladly meets with students and parents (quite often at the Waffle House across from the mall!) to discuss financial aid opportunities and procedures. His passion is helping students find as many avenues as possible to make college as affordable as possible!

    For more information on how to contact Hal to schedule an appointment, please click here.

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  • Nadia Simmone Scholarship for the Arts and Culture

    This $1,000 scholarship was created by one of our teachers, Mr. Akoto-Bamfo and his wife in honor of their late daughter, Nadia Simmone.  Nadia was a Collins Hill High School graduate and was a senior in college when she passed away from a long battle with cancer.  
    Criteria: This scholarship is for students who are involved in the arts, including Color Guard, Band, Chorus, and dance and have studied at least one world language or taken a cultural class.  The scholarship is open to students who plan to pursue a four-year college/university, or two year/technical college.  Students must have a 3.0 gpa and have completed a minimum of 50 community service hours while serving as a role model.
    The application is due by 2:30 p.m., Friday, March 28, 2025.
    Link to Application: https://forms.gle/vvvbBxbqGssQmLmy6
     

  • Kerensa Wing Principals of Service Scholarship

    The Collins Hill Education Foundation $1,000 Scholarship is for a CHHS Senior wanting to give back to the community by going to a post-secondary school in a service field (teaching, police, fire fighter, etc.). A written essay describing your career goals and documented volunteer hours must be attached. 
    Criteria: 3.0 GPA and 100 volunteer hours.
    The completed application must be returned to the Collins Hill Hight School Counseling Office by email, mail, or interoffice, on or before the deadline of 2:30 PM, Friday, March 28, 2025. The winner will be announced during Spring Honors Night.

  • The Jason Appling Technical Education Service Scholarship

    The vision of Collins Hill High School is to grow leaders through scholarship, service, and spirit. Jason Appling exemplified these by the way he engaged his students in learning, encouraged them in their extracurricular endeavors, and served his colleagues and students through his role as a coach, teacher, and friend. Serving others was something Mr. Appling did naturally and often. He was also an avid supporter of technical programs that allowed students to begin careers without a traditional 4-year college degree. In honor of his commitment to service and to students desiring a career in a technical field, we are offering the Jason Appling Technical Education Service Scholarship for $2,000.
     Applications are due on March 28, 2025, by 2:30 p.m. and should be turned into the Counseling Office.  The winner will be announced during Spring Honors Night.

  • Coley M. Krug Scholarship

    Coley M. Krug Scholarship:

    Inspired by the leadership of Collins Hill High School’s first principal, Mr. Coley Krug, each year Collins Hill HS offers its Coley M. Krug scholarship in the amount of $2,000 to one current senior.

     

    Collins Hill opened its doors to students in the fall of 1994. Prior to this date, several meetings were held with students and parents to determine the instructional direction of the school, as well as the principles on which the school would be based. As indicated on the school crest, these principles are “Vision, Integrity, and Strength”

    Eligibility: This scholarship is open to current seniors planning to attend a 4-year college or university. Applicants must not have a discipline record from grades 9-12.

    Requirements: Submit an essay of no more than three (3) pages (double-spaced) describing how you best demonstrated each of these principles (Vision, Integrity, Strength) throughout life and educational career. 

    To apply: Upload your essay using the form. Include only your student ID number in your essay, DO NOT write your name.

    Deadline: Submit essays by 2:30 p.m., Friday, March 28, 2025.

    The scholarship committee will read the essays and determine the recipient. The winner will be announced during Spring Honors Night.

  • GCPS Foundation Scholarships

    The Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing financial resources to enrich and enhance education in Gwinnett County Public Schools. Established in 2006, the Foundation is committed to sustaining the world-class standards of Gwinnett County Public Schools. A Board of Trustees that is representative of the Gwinnett community governs the Foundation, fostering the belief that community involvement in public education is essential to promoting an educated, healthy, responsible citizenry and desirable quality of life in Gwinnett County. 

    Click here to visit the main page for the Gwinnett County Public Schools Foundation Fund

    Click here to see detailed information about GCPS Foundation Fund scholarships available

  • Scholarship Search Engines

    Please use any of the following search engines below to begin researching scholarships. Please note that any scholarship search website that demands money is not legitimate. The resouces below have been researched and deemed legitimite scholarship websites. The one exception to this rule would be Scholly. Scholly is a website with a corresponding App that has a small monthly fee that allow students to search a very broad range of scholarships that specifically meet their academic/personal profile. This app is NOT in any way a requirement for accessing scholarships. 

    Big Future

    Fastweb

    Unigo

    Scholarships.com

    Scholly

    College Green Light

    AIE

    Chegg

    Tuition Funding Sources

    Cappex

    Georgia Futures

    Stand Out College Prep - Scholarships for students in Georgia

    Dreamers
    A website specifically for undocumented students who immigrated to the US at a young age

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