Financial Aid Programs for Adults Without a High School Diploma

Many believe that a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate is essential for college admission. However, this isn't always the case. Adults without these credentials have several pathways to pursue higher education, including financial aid programs designed to support their educational goals. This article explores these options, providing answers to common questions and outlining alternative routes to attending college without a GED or high school diploma.

Going to College Without a Diploma: Is It Possible?

Yes, it is indeed possible to attend college without a high school diploma or GED. While most colleges typically require these credentials for admission, alternative options exist. Some institutions assess academic capabilities through placement tests, while others allow enrollment while simultaneously working towards a high school diploma or its equivalent, known as a High School Equivalency (HSE). Select colleges may also admit non-traditional students into specific non-degree-seeking courses or programs.

Although most colleges require these credentials for admission, there are other options. In some states, students without a high school diploma or GED certificate can earn an associate degree through community college; other states require a high school or GED diploma. A bachelor’s degree from a four-year school also requires these credentials. Schools that don’t require a diploma may use one or more enrollment pathways. These options include becoming a nontraditional student, or one who does not seek a degree. Dual enrollment is another pathway that does not require a GED certificate or diploma. Some schools offer a test-out option to earn college credit.

Alternative Pathways to College Admission

Several alternative pathways enable students without a high school diploma or GED to access higher education. These include:

Community and Vocational Colleges: Community and vocational colleges often have more flexible admissions policies, catering to non-traditional students.
Students Not Seeking Degrees: Some individuals take classes for personal enrichment or professional development, or to prepare for the GED test and build academic skills.
Ability to Benefit (ATB) Program: This federal program allows eligible students to receive financial aid while simultaneously pursuing a high school credential and a college degree.
Test-Out Options: Some schools allow students to test out of classes and earn college credit through programs like the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP).
Returning Students: Many schools allow returning students, including military veterans, parents, and those who left college in the past, to re-enroll even after several years.

Each path provides different opportunities and resources to help students continue their education. The specific requirements, academic opportunities and financial aid may vary, however. It’s important to research and contact admissions offices to understand your options.

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Community and Vocational Colleges

Community colleges and vocational colleges can be viable choices for students without a GED certificate or high school diploma. These schools have flexible admissions policies that often cater to nontraditional students. Some also offer specialized programs, such as remedial and GEDpreparation classes, to help you continue your education.

Admission requirements may be dependent on the trade. For example, an emergency medical technician (EMT) program may require a GED certificate or high school diploma. Others, such as event planning, may not.

Students Not Seeking Degrees

Some students take classes for personal enrichment or professional development. Others take classes to pass the GED test or build academic skills. Federal financial aid programs help nontraditional learners in a GED-preparation course and those earning a certificate. Some schools also offer these students institutional financial aid.

Ability to Benefit (ATB) Program

Ability to Benefit (ATB) is a federal student aid program. Students without a high school credential can earn both a college credential and a high school diploma or GED certificate simultaneously.

The Ability to Benefit program can assist students who completed high school in another country. Eligibility includes being 18 years or older and demonstrating “college readiness” college-level coursework or passing a placement test.

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Test Out

Some schools allow nontraditional students to test out of classes and earn college credit. For example, the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) offers an exam that allows students to receive college credit from 2,900 colleges.

Taking a test typically involves paying a fee and meeting with an academic advisor. Learners who pass an exam receive credit. Some colleges offer other ways to earn credit, such as a portfolio. However, the types of tests available may vary by school, since individual departments develop them.

Returning Student

Returning students include military veterans, parents, married students, and learners who left college in the past. Many schools allow returning students to re-enroll, even after several years. Some schools also don’t require returning students to reapply. Admissions departments may ask for transcripts from all previous schools attended.

Financial Aid Options for Adults Without a Diploma

It's a common misconception that financial aid is not available for adults returning to college or entering college for the first time. Fortunately, several financial aid options are available for adults without a high school diploma or GED:

Ability to Benefit (ATB) Program: As mentioned earlier, the ATB program allows eligible students to qualify for federal financial aid by passing a federally approved test.
Institutional Aid: Many colleges offer college- or program-specific scholarships for eligible students.
Private Scholarships: Some private scholarships and financial aid opportunities do not require a high school diploma or GED.
Federal Grants: Grants are often based on a student’s financial need and may come from federal or state programs, or sometimes from private charitable organizations. Pell Grants are awarded to students on the basis of financial need and do not have to be repaid. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants are awarded to undergraduate students who demonstrate a strong financial need. The grant doesn’t need to be repaid.
Direct Loans: Direct loans are designed to help students cover the costs of their school expenses. These loans can be subsidized or unsubsidized and students can use them to pay for education expenses. These private student loans from banks or other lending institutions are not federally supported or guaranteed.

Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is the first step in the financial aid process. To be eligible to participate in federal financial aid and some state financial aid programs, a student must complete a FAFSA. Complete any supplemental institutional specific applications such as the West Virginia Higher Education Adult Part-time Student Program Application.

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The Importance of a GED or High School Diploma

A GED certificate or high school diploma is crucial for college admissions for several reasons. High school diplomas are standard for admission at all colleges and universities. Most colleges admit students with a GED certificate because it shows you’ve achieved the same knowledge and education as a high school graduate.

Having a GED certificate or high school diploma opens doors to more job opportunities because it fulfills a basic requirement for many entry-level positions in various fields. It can be a stepping stone for further education and career advancement. The internet features many free resources to prepare for the test.

Understanding the GED Test

The GED test covers four subjects: language arts, math, science, and social studies. These sections last 70-150 minutes and assess test-takers’ reasoning, analytical, and comprehension skills.

Test-takers who fail a section may retake it for an extra fee. People who pass a section but want a higher score may also retake it. All GED sections cost the same, though prices may vary by state. Some states require other high school culminating exams, which exempts test takers from certain sections of the GED.

Reasoning Through Language Arts (150 Minutes)

Reasoning through language arts assesses many skills, such as grammar and language basics. Test-takers analyze the meaning of certain texts and identify arguments. Questions use a multiple-choice or drag-and-drop format. The section also includes a timed written essay portion lasting 45 minutes. Test-takers receive a 10-minute break between sections two and three.

Students preparing for the essay section should ask another person to grade their practice test. Graded practice tests provide valuable feedback and highlight areas for improvement.

Mathematical Reasoning (115 Minutes)

The mathematical reasoning section includes two parts broken up by a three-minute break . Topics cover basic math, geometry, basic algebra, graphs, and functions. Questions use different formats, including multiple choice, fill in the blank, and drop down. Many questions and question sets use real-life examples.

The section of the test provides helpful resources, such as an on-screen calculator and a formula sheet. Test-takers may also bring an approved calculator to the testing center.

Science (90 minutes)

The science section is a single part that uses different question types. Earning a passing score does not require memorizing scientific concepts or theories. Instead, test-takers analyze scientific data, charts, and graphs.

Some questions ask test-takers to read for meaning and review numbers and graphics. The section features question sets focused on experiments’ results. As with the mathematical reasoning section, test-takers may use an on-screen or physical calculator.

Social Studies (70 minutes)

The one-part social studies section does not include a break and uses multiple question types. Like the language arts and science sections, the questions assess test-takers’ abilities to read for meaning and analyze texts. Some questions involve comparing a text and its companion charts.

Those preparing for this section do not need to memorize historical dates and figures. Although the social studies section lets test-takers use the on-screen calculator, no question requires its use.

Understanding the GED Score

Test-takers receive their GED results within a few hours of finishing a section or sections. People should contact the GED Testing Service if they do not receive their results within 24 hours.

As of March 2024, test-takers must earn a minimum 145 score on each section to pass the GED test. A 165-174 indicates college readiness. Some online colleges accepting GED certificates let students with scores in this range skip some first-year classes. The programs run at adult education schools and community colleges. The age requirement for the GED exam varies by state. As of February 2024, most states use a 16 or 18 year age requirement. Many states allow test-takers to take the GED exam online with a virtual proctor.

Test-takers may attempt the GED test in one or multiple sessions. Students scheduling their test session or sessions should give themselves enough time to study. Doing so helps them pass the test on their first attempt and save money.

Resources for Hopeful College Students

Several organizations and programs offer support to adults seeking to complete their education and pursue higher education opportunities:

Graduation Alliance: This organization partners with educational agencies, community colleges, and mentorship programs to deliver diploma-completion programs through online, hybrid, or in-person delivery.
Adult Education Centers: These centers provide services like GED exam prep and linguistic assistance for students learning English as a second language.
Job Corps: In addition to career assistance, Job Corps offers free training for those looking to complete their high school diplomas, with some programs even conferring college credit.
Finish Your Diploma: FinishYourDiploma.org offers free assistance for students looking to earn their GED certificates and/or complete the HiSET exam.

Alternatives to the GED Exam

Is the GED Exam Your Only Option If You Drop Out of High School? Nope! Learners under the age of 18 should check if their public school district offers reenrollment. District policies vary, so prospective students should contact their district office for more information. Other options include exploring adult high school programs as many school districts offer them to residents at little or no cost.

People not interested in the GED exam should consider the High School Equivalency Diploma, also known as the HiSET test. The HiSET is a state-issued high school equivalency credential for career advancement, training programs, military eligibility and continuing education.

No, the GED isn’t the only alternative to a high school diploma. You can take the High School Equivalency Test, or HiSET, to earn a state-issued credential, or you can enroll in an adult high school program. Some state-specific alternatives are also available, such as the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), which is offered in 13 states.

Career Opportunities Without a Diploma

You can pursue trades, apprenticeships, and certification-based careers without a high school diploma or a GED. For example, you could become an agricultural equipment operator, baker, cement mason, landscaper, cook, postal service worker, or tailor without a diploma, and working up in those jobs gives you access to management positions.

Additionally, the list of colleges above and local community colleges can give you a path to earning college credits even while working toward a high school diploma or its equivalent, so no career is out of reach.

The Underutilization of the Ability to Benefit (ATB) Program

Department of Education data illustrate that ATB is underutilized and in decline. For example, in 2016, more than $1 billion in federal aid was disbursed to about 124,000 students who qualified for ATB by passing a test or completing six credits. Moreover, there is wide variation in ATB participation by state. California had the largest share of ATB enrollment in 2021, with more than 30,400 students enrolled across 174 institutions. The states with the second- and third-highest shares, Florida with 12,100 students and New York with 3,100 students, enrolled far fewer students than California.

Improving the approval process may encourage more states to pursue this option. Citing “confusion as to how to craft a successful State process,” the Education Department used the negotiated rulemaking process in early 2022 to amend its ATB regulation. The department’s final proposal, which had not been released at the time of this publication, is expected to clarify the approval process and data requirements for states submitting plans.

Recommendations for Enhancing the ATB Program

Despite its potential, ATB has a visibility problem. For its part, the Education Department should identify regions where adult educational attainment most needs improvement and promote ATB to area colleges. For example, the department could provide focused technical support on creating career pathways, identifying sources of funding, and meeting federal requirements on data reporting.

Financial aid administrators assign codes to students who qualify for federal aid through ATB. That means institutions and the Education Department can learn a lot about the characteristics and outcomes of ATB students. Much of what is known about ATB students comes from government reports and data requests, but this information is incomplete. The department’s research unit-the National Center for Education Statistics-should regularly publish data tables on the characteristics of ATB students disaggregated by race and ethnicity, sex, age, state, institution type, and more. Learning about who is accessing ATB can reveal adult populations in need of better access.

A consequence of ATB’s obscurity may be that it is overdue for innovation. The reforms presented above may inject new life into ATB, but there is still more to explore to reach ATB’s potential. For example, Congress should consider adding more alternatives to ATB eligibility, especially if more states do not create state-defined processes. There may also be a new opportunity to improve high school and postsecondary educational attainment among incarcerated adults. In 2014, 30 percent of adults in prison had not completed a high school credential, compared with 14 percent of adults in the general population.

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