GA's HOPE scholarship payouts could stay the same

ATLANTA - Projections show that HOPE scholarship awards may remain the same next year.

The amount of money students get can change each year under new rules the Legislature put in place to keep the scholarship program from going broke.

New estimates from the Georgia Student Finance Commission show the state can afford payouts at the same level next year by using some reserve funds in addition to money provided by the Georgia Lottery.

David Lee is the director of strategic research and analysis for the commission, which administers HOPE. He says that the recommendation is that scholarship values remain the same, but the final decision is up to lawmakers.