GED by 23 can mean getting tech college tuition, fees at no cost

WEST COLUMBIA, S.C. --  Lexington Two’s adult education program is now enrolling students for its final courses of the school year, and for anyone who wants to complete a GED, there’s now a financial incentive to do it.

Thanks to the GED by 23 partnership between the SC Department of Education (SCDE) and South Carolina Technical College System (SCTCS), adult education students who complete a high school diploma or GED during the 2021-22 and 2022-23  academic years (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2023) will have technical college tuition and associated fees for credit and non-credit training programs covered.

Utilizing $3.5 million in COVID-related federal funds over three years, the SCTCS and its colleges will work with local adult education programs like Lexington Two’s and instructional staff statewide to fill gaps in workforce preparedness. GED by 23 participants will be able to:

• Join a career pathway based on an identified employment need area through the technical college system while working toward the completion of a GED or a high school diploma;
• Complete both a secondary diploma (GED or high school diploma), and occupational skills training; and
• Complete employability skills training to enhance success in the workforce.

"This opportunity for our students is huge,” said Christy Henderson, director of the adult education program in Lexington Two.  “It affords our students, who may not have had an opportunity before, to attend post-secondary training without the financial burden.  If taken advantage of, it will provide a path to an in-demand field with competitive pay and benefits."