Politics & Government

Rep. Evans: HOPE cuts 'disappointed me very much'

State representative from Smyrna explains her fears surrounding cuts to the lottery-funded scholarship program.

 

State Rep. Stacey Evans (D-Smyrna) spoke before a gathering of about 75 people at last week’s Smyrna Business Association luncheon. She touched upon a variety of subjects, including happily revealing that she and husband Andrew are expecting their first child early next year.

She also touched upon this month’s special session (more later on that on Patch), but it came as a surprise to no one when Evans chimed in about cuts to the lottery-funded HOPE scholarship program.

Find out what's happening in Smyrna-Viningswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Because of state budget shortfalls and a dip in lottery revenue, state lawmakers this past spring made changes to reduce payments from HOPE. The program originally covered 100 percent of the tuition at state colleges for high school students graduating with a 3.0 grade point average and who maintained at least a B average in college.

Now, high school graduates must have a 3.8 GPA and a score of at least 1200 on their SATs to earn full tuition coverage. The level of coverage fluctuates from there and the new rates do not cover books or student fees. Evans said the changes “disappointed me very much’’ and is “hoping we will be able to change what we change.’’

Find out what's happening in Smyrna-Viningswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A former HOPE recipient from the rural north Georgia town of Ringgold, Evans supported giving the program an income cap so families earning $140,000 or more wouldn’t qualify. That proposal didn’t pass, but in this video, hear her thoughts and “fears’’ on what these changes to HOPE might bring and how important the program is to creating jobs in Georgia.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Smyrna-Vinings