Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman announced last week Kentucky Skills U, an agency within the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet (EWDC), will waive testing fees for Kentuckians seeking to earn a GED.

With more than 335,000 Kentuckians without a GED or high school diploma, EWDC allotted $600,000 in state funding to waive test fees in an effort to eliminate financial barriers associated with GED attainment, which is $120 for all four courses in Kentucky.

Jason Dailey, program coordinator for Skills U at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College Winchester-Clark County Campus, said the testing fee is one of the most comment barriers facing those seeking a GED.

Kentucky Skills U provides no-cost adult education services in all 120 Kentucky counties to individuals seeking to become college and/or career ready. Students can prepare for the GED, transition to post-secondary education or receive training for employment. Students may also be eligible for GED Plus, which allows students to earn a GED and college credential at the same time through the Work Ready Scholarship.

“The fee is something that was a barrier for many people to try to overcome, along with a couple other things like transportation and childcare,” Dailey said. “The payment for the test was a big thing a lot of people had a problem with. That $30 for each course was a lot for people, especially when you add that up to $120.”

Dailey said waiving the testing fee will make attaining a GED possible for anyone in Kentucky.

“If you’re a GED-seeker, regardless of your ability to pay, you will now have the opportunity to take the test,” he said. “I hope I will have people lined out the door wanting to take the test. I hope this gives people the opportunity to come in, get the extra education they need from us and to take the test and pass.”

Dailey said having more people attain their GED will have positive effects on the economy and the community.

“I think this is exceptional,” he said. “This is a barrier that, if it wasn’t for this, we wouldn’t have been able to overcome. When people get their GED, they are more likely to be employed. They are more likely to contribute positively to the economy.”

According to data from Kentucky Skills U, those without a GED or high school diploma are twice as likely to be unemployed, three times as likely to live in poverty, four times as likely to be in poor health and eight times as likely to be incarcerated.

Those who obtain their GED or high school diploma are likely to earn an additional $9,600 annually, Skills U reports.

“It’s obvious obtaining your GED has positive impacts on you and the community,” Dailey said.

For more information, visit kyskillsu.ky.gov or text MYGED to 74700 to connect with the Kentucky Skills U center.