Make Hope Academic & Merit Based

I am a college student who has not only experienced but witnessed the destruction that our state legislature has created with cutting the Hope Grant. In 2011 as thousands of high school seniors prepared to walk at graduation, our state government were stripping us of our dreams. Since before I graduated in 2011, I was excited about attending college with a full ride. Not having to worry about paying for books, fees, and other expenses would be a blessing. However, that did not happen because that same year our state legislature decided to put education on the back burner, and their own personal needs first. As a voice for all Georgia college students I am feed up with those running this state into the ground, which is why I ask that thousands of you even millions please sign this petition. It is vital that the Hope Grant be re-evaluated, and turned into not only a Academic based grant but also a merit based. I propose the cut off for the grant be set at $120,000 because it is unfair for those who can easily afford college to gain the hope grant. When there are thousands of first generation college students like myself who simply can not afford to pay out of pocket for college. This state can not succeed if there is no future educated enough to lead it. The Governors excuse for cutting Hope was that the lottery will run out of money, which is impossible when millions of Georgians play the lottery every single day. I demand receipts showing us where our parents, grandparents, and neighbors money is going. I demand that we stand up, and no longer accept defeat because they need us just as much as we need them. With college's raising tuition every year along with ridiculous fees, ridiculous over priced books it is important that we receive the hope in full. SO please join me in this fight, tell everyone who values education to sign this petition, let our voices be heard loud and clear. WE ARE GEORGIA'S FUTURE.