How to Get GED College Scholarships
If you've recently earned your GED and would like to further your education, investigating how to get college scholarships as part of your overall financial aid strategy is a smart move. In most cases, a student with a GED can apply for the same scholarships as a student who has earned a traditional high school diploma. Typically, a GED is specified as the equivalent of a diploma for all academic purposes. However, there are a few scholarship programs designated for GED recipients only.
Community Colleges
Since they cater to non-traditional students, community colleges often have designated GED college scholarship programs. For example, St. Charles Community College in Cottleville, MO offers a $500 scholarship for GED students who have taken their GED preparation classes through the school. Ozark Technical Community College in Springfield, MO offers a $900 per semester scholarship for GED students who meet specific criteria for academic achievement and state residency.
Home-Schooling Foundations
If you received your GED because you were homeschooled instead of attending a traditional high school, look for possible scholarship opportunities with homeschool support groups in your community. For example, the Arizona Families for Home Education awards two scholarships each year to GED recipients who are attending four year colleges or universities and majoring in selected subject areas.
GED Scholarship Programs
Depending upon where you live, your state might have specific GED college scholarship programs. For example, GED recipients who live in Georgia can apply to receive a $500 Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally (HOPE) grant.
Merit-Based Scholarships
GED scholarships, like other college scholarships, tend to use academic merit as the primary factor in making awards. This is measured by your score on the GED exam. However, many scholarships do use factors such as financial need, community involvement, and recommendations from teachers as secondary criteria for selecting recipients. Even without extremely high GED test scores, you may be eligible for a scholarship of this type.
