GA HB1231

Expands the definition of "approved school" for tuition equalization grants to include private institutions previously accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools that are now accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools

Allows students who continuously meet HOPE scholarship achievement standards while concurrently pursuing a baccalaureate degree and a first professional degree to use their full number of HOPE scholarship eligible hours beyond earning the baccalaureate degree

Permits students who earned a baccalaureate degree and begin a graduate program at an eligible institution within 18 months to continue using remaining HOPE scholarship hours, provided they continuously met achievement standards

Reduces HOPE scholarship hours available for professional or graduate degrees by the number of credit hours a student completed through the state-funded dual enrollment program

Creates a new HOPE scholarship eligibility pathway for former foster youth under age 28 who have not previously qualified, providing up to 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of scholarship coverage if they maintain satisfactory academic progress under federal Title IV standards