Alpharetta High School seniors who want to walk at graduation need to be in the auditorium Wednesday, Aug. 19.

The school is holding a mandatory senior class meeting covering graduation clearance, transcript procedures, college applications and scholarship eligibility. The student session runs during third period, from 10:15 to 11:07 a.m. A separate parent and guardian session begins at 6 p.m.

For students, the agenda includes senior status checks, credit recovery options, FAFSA reminders and key dates for senior events. For parents, the evening session includes a presentation on the Georgia HOPE Career Grant, a state program that covers 100 percent of tuition for eligible students pursuing certificates or diplomas in high-demand fields through the Technical College System of Georgia.

What the HOPE Career Grant covers

The grant targets students entering healthcare, welding, automotive technology and computer tech programs at TCSG institutions. Students must first qualify for the standard HOPE Grant; the two grants combined cover all tuition. No specific high school GPA is required to qualify, but students must maintain a postsecondary cumulative 2.0 GPA at certain checkpoints, according to the Technical College System of Georgia. The grant does not need to be repaid.

That's a different path from the traditional HOPE Scholarship, which requires a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA as calculated by the Georgia Student Finance Commission and covers tuition at four-year universities. For the 2025-26 award year, HOPE paid roughly $350 per credit hour, up to about $10,512 for two full-time semesters, according to College Transitions. Students headed for the Zell Miller Scholarship need a 3.7 HOPE GPA plus a 1200 SAT or 25 ACT composite.

Families should know the Career Grant covers tuition only, not fees or equipment costs, which vary by program. Students can check their HOPE eligibility through a GAfutures account. The HOPE GPA differs from the GPA on a student's report card.

What's next

The North Fulton College Fair is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Alpharetta High, where families can meet representatives from more than 100 colleges and universities.