ATLANTA — The Georgia House has approved a bill giving Hope Scholarship recipients more credit for science, technology, engineering and math courses.

Rep. Jan Jones, R-Milton, says the change will encourage students to take such classes and pursue jobs in fields that need skilled employees. Hope Scholarship recipients must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0 to keep receiving help for college tuition.

Jones says some students may have avoided the courses due to fear of losing their scholarship eligibility.

She says the Board of Regents, which oversees state colleges and universities, will determine the courses eligible for the added weight.

The change would take effect during the 2017 school year.

The House passed the proposal 167-0 on Wednesday and it now goes to the state Senate for consideration.