With DREAMS, we are Dedicating Resources to Educationally Advance More Students in the USG and TCSG with demonstrated financial need by covering a portion of their college costs. Georgia students will now be able to have HOPE and DREAMS for college, because DREAMS will be the need-based answer to HOPE’s merit-based solution.
Initial philanthropic investments for DREAMS will help attract matching contributions from large corporations and foundations. These funds will, in turn, be leveraged as a statewide challenge match for supporters of our 25 institutions and donors at large, thereby multiplying the impact of the program. This support will be endowed in perpetuity and managed in strict accordance with USGF investment policy, ultimately growing toward a permanent solution for Georgia’s current lack of statewide need-based aid. Any donor funds designated for individual institutions for DREAMS can be endowed at that institution and trigger a commensurate distribution each year from the endowed matching pool at USGF to that institution, ultimately doubling the scholarship payout available for distribution to their eligible students.
USG Foundation funds for DREAMS Scholarships will be provided directly to the USG institutional foundations and the TCSG Foundation, whether triggered by a match-seeking donor at one of the institutions or allocated directly each year from the USGF directly to each school. A goal of the program for the greatest impact possible, however, the specific award amounts will be determined by each institution’s Financial Aid Office (FAO) in compliance with DREAMS Scholarship requirements. Amounts of DREAMS awards may vary and could expand as funding is available.
This program does not have a separate application; however, students must complete the FAFSA to be considered. Students should contact their FAO for information, procedures and deadlines.
For an undergraduate student to be eligible for a DREAMS Scholarship award, they are expected to:
The awards will vary by institution and are subject to available funding. The awards from DREAMS Scholarships may not exceed $3000 per academic year initially nor exceed the total cost of tuition, fees, books, room and board (once combined with all other financial aid), however additional awards may be given if funding allows and if approved by USGF.
Pending the availability of funds, awards may be received for a total of up to eight semesters, provided that the student completes the FAFSA application each year; maintains Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP); and continues to meet all DREAMS program and Georgia Student Financial Aid Program regulations.
