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 student seeking a high school diploma from an eligible Georgia high school;
- 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;
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 $1,334 per quarter or $2,000 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
Students who participate in an approved Home School program, the GAMES Academy or the Advanced Academy of Georgia must complete the paper Accel application .
Students who attend an eligible high school should complete the online Accel Program Application.
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 through Spring term 2011 will be included in the combined paid-hours limit of 127 semester/190 quarter hours, which includes payments from the HOPE Scholarship, Zell Miller Scholarship, HOPE Grant, and Accel programs.
Hours taken and paid for by the Accel program beginning in Fall 2011 will not be counted in the combined paid-hours limit for HOPE Scholarship, Zell Miller Scholarship, and HOPE Grant.
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 
.