Accel Program
Program Type
Non-Need Based Grant
Purpose
The Accel program is for students at eligible high schools that wish to take college level coursework for credit towards both high school and college graduation requirements.
Eligible students must meet certain criteria, explained below.
The program is offered during the fall, winter, and spring terms of the school year.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Accel program, a student must:
- Be a high school junior or senior seeking a high school diploma from an eligible Georgia high school, or be a high school freshman or sophomore who meets the specific academic requirements of the Accel program regulations;
- Be enrolled in an eligible college or university or public technical college as a dual credit student taking approved college degree-level coursework;
- Be a legal resident of Georgia;
- Meet U.S. citizenship requirements, as explained in the Accel program regulations;
- Be registered with Selective Service, if required;
- Be in compliance with the Georgia Drug-Free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990;
- Not be in default or owe a refund on any student financial aid program;
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress, as defined by the college.
Value
Students that meet requirements to be eligible for Accel receive an award that covers tuition, approved fees, and a book allowance of up to $100 per quarter or $150 per semester, if enrolled at least half-time (six or more hours).
If an eligible student is enrolled less than half-time (one to five hours), then the award covers tuition, approved fees, and a book allowance of $50 per quarter or $75 per semester.
Full-time (12 hours) students attending private colleges or universities receive up to $1,166 per quarter or $1,750 per semester If an eligible student is enrolled less than full-time (12 hours) at a private college or university, the award will be prorated based on the number of hours enrolled.
Course Directory
For a list of approved high school courses and the college level equivalent, please refer to the following list:
High School Courses and College Equivalents for the ACCEL Program 
Application Procedure
There are two methods for application to the Accel Program:
- Online Accel Program Application
- Accel Program Paper Application
(Note: Beginning with the Winter Quarter/Spring Semester of 2010, all Accel applications must be submitted using the online application, unless you are a student enrolled in a home study program.)
Other Information
Students may receive Accel payments for a maximum of up to four semesters or six quarters regardless of the number of credits received during each semester or quarter.
All hours paid for by the Accel program will be included in the combined paid-hours limit of 127 semester/190 quarter hours, which includes payments from the HOPE Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and Accel programs.
Once a student has been paid Accel or HOPE for 127 semester hours or 190 quarter hours, that student is no longer eligible to continue to receive HOPE or Accel payment.
For more information regarding Accel, refer to the official program regulations 
.