Before taking the GED you should contact your local school board or social services office to see about classes that are offered. These courses are almost always free and they run with the working adult in mind. Benefits of taking the classes are that students stand a higher chance of passing the exam because of the study. Students who are weaker in some areas can get specialized help; thus making their chances of passing higher. Also, these classes will often help students enroll in higher education classes after passing the GED.
Requirements to obtain a GED or high school diploma equivalent are fairly simple. You must be 18 years old, not enrolled in school and meet requirements concerning residency. If you are under 18, you may apply to take the GED, but you will have to prove special circumstances. Most commonly these are emancipation, permanently expelled from school and those needing to leave school to earn an income. Often the classes are free and the test fee is minimal.
You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to take the exam, but often you must be a resident of the state in which you are taking the test. The test cannot be taken online, as it is administered by certified GED testers. Valid ID, such as a passport, driver's license or state ID is required.
Most often you can take the GED through a community college, local school board or even a literacy council. You will need to check with your local listings, and preferably your school board office, to see about registration. Many school systems offer grants or subsidies for individuals taking the GED. These are often income based.
Specific grants for taking the GED are generally found on the state and local level. The best approach is to contact your local school board, Social Services Office or state Department of Education. These offices will have detailed information for your locale on hand, as payment guidelines change in each area while the content of the test does not. Also, if you have transportation issues a counselor or member of the GED testing staff can arrange for your ride.