The community college runs a program called Project Second Chance that allows select students the opportunity to earn college credits required to apply for a state diploma. To qualify, you must be at least 18 years old, submit an application, and take the college's placement courses to determine your English and math skills. For those who do not pass the basic skills test, there are prep courses in basic math, language arts and writing offered through the college--many of which can be taken online. The curriculum for the second chance program includes courses in English, humanities, math, social science, a lab science, and 15 credits in any major of the participant's choosing, for a total of 30 credits. Applicants are eligible for financial aid and must take the High School Proficiency Test after completing the 30 credits to obtain a diploma. For those seeking a faster route to the GED, the college offers online GED prep courses costing $99 as of March 2010. Classes last six weeks and there are two new lessons offered per week.
Atlantic Cape Community College
5100 Black Horse Pike
Mays Landing, NJ 08330
609-343-4817
atlantic.edu
Bergen County has two courses leading to a GED degree. Every Monday and Tuesday, a free evaluation is held at 9 a.m. or 6 p.m. to determine students' skill levels. GED courses are offered in the morning and evening; the course is 75 hours long (including 15 hours of computer-assisted instruction) and reviews topics in writing, social studies, science, literature, math and essay writing. If you do not pass the basic skills test at evaluation, you must complete that course before enrolling in the GED course. The GED course costs $300 and the basic skills course, also lasting 75 hours, costs $280 as of March 2010. For those particularly weak in math, there is a 37.5-hour course that costs $200 and solely covers the math skills necessary to pass the GED.
Bergen County Community College, Ciarco Learning Center
355 Main St.
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-968-9473
bergen.edu
Adult basic education classes are available on campus in both English and Spanish. To be eligible, you must be 16 years of age or older. Classes are offered at several sites in the greater Trenton region in the morning, afternoon and evening. Mercer Street Friends in Trenton offers courses for free and is easily accessible by public transportation.
Mercer County Community College
North Broad and Academy Streets
Trenton, NJ 08690
609-586-4800, ext. 6638
mccc.edu