GED registration set Monday night

Open registration for the next series of General Education Development (GED) classes in Albany will take place on Monday, Jan. 21, according to local instructor Kenzie Fairchild.

“New applicants will be accepted starting next week,” said Fairchild. “Participants should be at least 17 years of age (with parent’s consent) or older and must have an ID to register.”

There are exceptions for 16-year-olds, listed at the end of this article.

Several types of identification forms, all of which must include the student’s name and birthday, are acceptable for registration purposes according to director of the Abilene Adult Education program Mignon Lawson; however, the student will eventually need to have a photo ID.

“They must have a current photo ID to take the tests,” said Lawson. “There is no way around that! If they do not have one when they start classes, we try to get them started on obtaining one of those right away.”

The Albany GED classes meet at the county library on Mondays and Tuesdays, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. throughout the school year, following the AISD holiday schedule.

“Child care is not available,” said Fairchild, “and students must commit to regular attendance and accumulate 40 hours of class time.”

For additional information call 325-721-5233.

Costs

A grant from Texas Workforce Commission funds the class. Abilene Adult Education oversees the adult education classes in 19 area counties, including Shackelford. 

Students do not have to pay for the class. However, to obtain their GED, students must pass four tests that costs $36.25 each, for a total of $145 (or more if a student requires more than one try to pass a given exam.)

Although the students are responsible for paying for the tests, scholarships funded by the Albany Chest are available for those that need assistance paying for the exams, according to Fairchild.

“If someone is ready to test, the costs of the test won’t stand in the way,” Lawson agreed. “Scholarships are available.”

Under Age Options

Those under 16 years old can not take the classes, and those that are 16 can only take the course if they have been directed to do so by a court order, their parent signs the enrollment form, and they have a high school withdrawal form.

A parent signature and a high school withdrawal form are needed by anyone 17 to 18 years of age before they can enroll in the class.