The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) recently announced that eligible Georgians can now earn their high school equivalency (HSE) diploma for free. Last year, the Georgia General Assembly passed, and Governor Brian P. Kemp signed a bill establishing the HOPE High School Equivalency Examination Grant Program into law. Eligible Georgians will receive an award of up to $200 to cover exam fees for the GED exam.

“We are very excited about this new grant. The additional funding available to students at Albany Technical College is an enormous boon, eliminating any obstacles that could be hindering a student's journey to earn a high school credential,” according to Dr. Emmett Griswold, President of Albany Technical College.

There are just over 1 million adults ages 18 and older in Georgia without a high school diploma or equivalency. For some test-takers, this grant will remove the last barrier they face before earning their HSE diploma. The HOPE HSE Examination Grant is fully funded by the Georgia Lottery for Education and is available for the GED exam. 

To be eligible to receive a HOPE HSE Examination Grant, an individual must meet general HOPE requirements and TCSG's HSE test readiness standards. "The HOPE HSE Grant program is available to eligible individuals to cover the cost of the HSE examination. You may qualify if you have been a Georgia resident for 12 consecutive months, have not earned a college degree or a high school diploma, are not in default on a loan or owe a refund on a state student financial aid program, and have completed a practice test," said Linda Coston, Vice President of Adult Education at Albany Technical College.

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 HSEtest4Free.com.