Can You Go to College Without a GED or High School Diploma? Yes — Here’s How
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To get into college, you typically need a high school diploma or a passing score on the GED test. Many colleges accept other high school equivalency tests as well.
But what if you don’t have any of these credentials? Can you go to college without a GED certificate or high school diploma?
The answer is yes!
Many accredited colleges, including online schools, don’t require you to have completed high school or passed the GED exam to enroll in classes. Some even help students pass the GED exam while enrolled, allowing them to jumpstart their degree or certificate program.
Discover how to attend college without a high school diploma or GED certificate with this helpful guide.
Popular Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Did You Know?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, those without a high school diploma earn $284 less per week, on average, than people who have completed some college.- People without a high school diploma experience the highest rate of unemployment (5.6%) among all education levels.
- According to the GED Testing Service, 98% of colleges accept applicants with GED diplomas.
- Over 20 million students around the world have earned a GED certificate.
5 Ways to Attend College Without a High School Diploma or GED Certificate
Not all accredited U.S. colleges require you to have a high school diploma or GED certificate. If you don’t have either of these credentials, you can get a college education by enrolling in individual classes, vocational programs, or adult high school before applying to a degree program.
Here are five moves you can make if you want to attend college without a GED certificate or high school diploma.
- 1
Find colleges without high school diploma or GED test requirements.
Colleges that don’t require a high school diploma or GED certificate often follow a multistep application process. For example, you may need to speak to an admissions officer, submit high school transcripts, or take an ability-to-benefit test like ACCUPLACER.
College applicants without a diploma should primarily focus on accredited local community colleges and vocational schools. These institutions cater to prospective students who need to pass the GED test or take remedial courses.
- 2
Take individual classes.
Many junior and community colleges allow students to enroll in individual classes, usually for personal enrichment or professional development. Students without high school diplomas can also enroll in GED preparation courses. These courses emphasize the writing, math, and reading skills tested on the GED exam.
Some colleges that don’t require a high school diploma allow you to earn college credit as you prepare for the GED test. This policy may result in the school limiting the courses you can take.
- 3
Attend a vocational school.
Trade and vocational schools focus on career development, offering career-specific majors like automotive technician, business office administration, and electrician technician. These programs prioritize hands-on learning and normally take one or fewer years to complete.
You’ll usually need a GED certificate or high school diploma to enroll, but some trade schools may not have this requirement. They may even help you prepare you to pass the GED exam.
- 4
Enroll in adult high school.
Many private organizations and school districts offer adult high school, where working professionals can learn in classroom settings with other adults returning to school.
Some programs offer night and weekend courses for adults working full time. Each participant who meets their school’s education requirements receives a high school diploma upon completion. School districts normally limit enrollment to residents and do not charge a fee.
Similar programs include free GED test preparation courses and adult basic education courses. The latter may charge tuition. Once you earn a diploma through adult high school, you can use the credential to apply to an associate or bachelor’s degree program at any accredited college or university.
- 5
Pass the GED exam or another high school equivalency test.
Many accredited colleges allow you to enroll as long as you pass a high school equivalency test, like the GED test or HiSET exam.
You must submit official scores with your application. Some schools may use a score cutoff for admission or enrollment in specific programs.
If you don’t meet a school’s cutoff, you may still receive conditional admission, which requires you to maintain a specific GPA for a period while taking remedial courses. After completing this phase, you can receive full admission to the college.
How to Get Your GED Certificate
Although you may be able to find accredited schools that do not require a high school or GED diploma, you’ll have more options for higher ed with a GED certificate under your belt. Here’s a brief look at what you should know about the GED test.
What Does the GED Test Entail?
The GED exam is a combination of four subject tests. You must pay to take each test, and fees vary depending on the state, but you are not required to take them all at once.
| Subject | Time | Topic Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Reasoning | 1 hour, 55 minutes | Basic math, geometry, basic algebra, graphs and functions |
| Reasoning Through Language Arts | 2 hours, 30 minutes | Reading for Meaning, Identifying and Creating Arguments, Grammar and Language |
| Social Studies | 1 hour, 10 minutes | Reading for meaning, analyzing historical events and arguments, using numbers and graphs |
| Science | 1 hour, 30 minutes | Reading for meaning, designing and interpreting science experiments, using numbers and graphics |
Source: GED Testing Service
To earn a GED certificate, you must score a minimum of 145 out of 200 on all four tests. If you earn a 175 or higher on each section, you can receive 10 undergraduate college credit hours to apply toward your college degree.
How Do You Register for the GED Test?
You can register for the GED test online through the GED Testing Service website. Simply make an account, log in, choose the GED tests you want to take, and select a date and time. You’ll also get to decide whether you want to take the tests in person at a testing center or at home with an online proctor.
Testing accommodations are available to those with documented disabilities.
GED Test Prep Resources
GED Testing Service
The official site for the GED exam offers various resources, including practice tests and online and in-person GED prep classes.Kaplan
The famous test prep company provides many GED resources, such as prep books and online prep classes.GEDPracticeTest.net
This site offers plenty of free and easy-to-use GED practice tests for each exam subject.State of Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board
This organization manages the state’s financial aid system. Users can access information on financial aid opportunities and loan forgiveness programs. The site also links users to external financial resources and application information.
Resources for Students Who Didn’t Finish High School
Graduation Alliance
This site provides students who did not finish high school with academic and career services. Other resources include tutors available 24/7 and free online learning technology.YouthBuild USA
This organization offers resources to unemployed Americans ages 16-24. You can receive free education, counseling, and training in the construction industry. The construction training involves building homes for low-income residents.
FAQ About Attending College With No GED or High School Diploma
Do you need a high school diploma to go to college?
No — you don’t necessarily need a high school diploma to go to college. While some schools and programs require completion of high school, others have established more flexible acceptance criteria. For example, institutions often accept a GED certificate or offer ability-to-benefit tests that prove college readiness.
What are the college admission requirements if I don’t have a high school or GED diploma?
Some colleges use special enrollment processes for applicants without high school diplomas or GED certificates. These steps often include submitting an application and taking a skills assessment. Like the GED test, the skills assessment measures basic academic knowledge. You’ll likely also need to fill out the FAFSA.
Am I eligible for financial aid if I don’t have a high school diploma?
Only high school graduates and students who pass a high school equivalency test can qualify for federal financial aid. However, students without diplomas or GED certificates may still receive institutional aid. First-year students should speak with financial aid advisors to review their options. Private financial aid can help them pay for GED preparation courses and degrees.
What degrees or certificates can I get without a high school diploma?
Colleges that don’t require a high school diploma or GED certificate can still offer many academic programs, many of which lead to certificates instead of degrees. These may include skilled trades like cosmetology, HVAC maintenance, and massage therapy.
What certifications can I get without a high school diploma or GED?
Learners without high school diplomas or GED certificates can usually get vocational or hands-on training for automotive, HVAC, and electrician positions. Some medical administration, veterinary assistance, and dental assistance programs also accept students from diverse educational backgrounds. Other certification options focus on technology. Independent organizations, like coding bootcamps, often welcome learners without GED certificates or high school diplomas.
