The Technical College System of Georgia announced Monday that eligible Georgians can now earn their high school equivalency for free.
According to a press release, this opportunity comes after the Georgia General Assembly passed a bill that established the HOPE High School Equivalency Examination Grant Program earlier this year. Gov. Brian P. Kemp signed that bill into law.
The college system says that eligible Georgians will be able to receive an award of up to $200 to cover exam fees for the GED® exam.
“High school equivalency diplomas give Georgia residents greater access to employment and higher education opportunities,” TCSG Commissioner Greg Dozier, said. “By providing the funding to cover the costs of testing, we are opening the doors to life-changing opportunities for our fellow citizens.”
The system also emphasized that over 1 million adults in Georgia are without a high school diploma or equivalency. For some, this grant will eliminate a financial barrier many face when trying to earn an equivalency diploma.
“We are so grateful that Georgia now provides a mechanism to address one of the most significant barriers that adults face when considering earning a high school equivalency diploma—the cost of testing,” TCSG Assistant Commissioner for Adult Education, Dr. Cayanna Good, said.
The HOPE HSE Examination Grant is fully funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education.
For an individual to be eligible to receive a HOPE HSE Examination Grant, they must meet general HOPE requirements and TCSG’s HSE test readiness standards. Georgians can apply once per subject area exam. Adult Education providers across the state also offer free classes with flexible schedules to help Georgians prepare for their HSE test. Grant funds are subject to annual state appropriation and availability of funds. To learn more, visit www.HSEtest4Free.com
