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Student finance chief outlines Georgia Match, Promise Scholarship and HOPE administration

House Education Committee · January 30, 2026
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Summary

Chris Green of the Georgia Student Finance Commission briefed the committee on GSFC programs, reporting growth in dual enrollment and the Georgia Match direct‑admissions effort and outlining first‑year use and eligibility rules for the new Georgia Promise Scholarship.

Chris Green, president of the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC), told the House education committee the agency continues to expand outreach and student access programs, reporting more than 5,000,000 visits to GA Futures and that dual enrollment served over 71,000 students who earned more than 736,000 credit hours last academic year.

Green described the Georgia Match direct‑admissions program as the largest state‑run direct admissions effort in the country, saying the program mailed more than 136,000 personalized letters and that partner colleges saw measurable enrollment increases (University System of Georgia up 4.8%, Technical College System of Georgia up 7.1%).

On the Georgia Promise Scholarship, Green said this first year produced just over 7,700 participating students and that the FY26 scholarship award amount is set at $6,500. He explained the program’s statutory design: "No. The way Promise scholarship is currently designed, student cannot remain in public school and receive Promise funds," meaning families electing Promise must use the funds for eligible private school tuition or home study expenses rather than concurrently attend public school.

Green also described statutory vetting requirements for participating private schools and marketplace tutors (accreditation, financial soundness and licensing by the Professional Standards Commission) and said GSFC will publish mandatory annual reporting on program use and outcomes after the first year. He noted the original Promise appropriation was $141,000,000; the governor’s recommended amended budget proposed a one‑time reduction of $85,000,000 to return funds, while continuing support for Promise in the base budget going forward.

Members asked about HOPE projections and accountability; Green said GSFC can report where every HOPE dollar has gone and that the agency coordinates revenue and projection information with the Georgia Lottery Corporation and the Office of Planning and Budget. He closed by urging continued partnership on career‑navigator proposals and financial‑literacy efforts.

The committee set follow‑up questions on budgeting and marketplace vetting for a future meeting.