With only five full months left in 2013, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is sending a message to adults who haven’t yet earned a high school diploma.
The national GED test is changing effective Jan. 1, 2014. Rowan-Cabarrus wants to help individuals in Rowan and Cabarrus counties finish the GED testing process before the cost increases from $35 to more than $100.
“Come to Rowan-Cabarrus in Kannapolis on Tuesday, July 30, between 1-7 p.m. and we’ll pay the GED test fee for you,” said Gary Connor, director of the college’s GED and adult basic education programs.
In addition to the cost increase, any existing test scores on file since 2002 will expire at the end of 2013. These students will have to start over if they are not able to successfully complete testing by the end of December.
To encourage the community to act now, the college will waive the $35 test fee for students who attend the college’s one-day-only event on Tuesday, July 30.
“We hate to see the testing cost increase so dramatically which is why we’re doing our part to try and make it easier on those who haven’t yet earned their GED,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. “We’re waiving the test fee for one day only – I hope many people will take advantage of this unique opportunity.”
Interested individuals should come to the college’s N.C. Research Campus facility in Kannapolis, for a short orientation on July 30, between 1-7 p.m. Rowan-Cabarrus provides both instruction and resource materials to students preparing for the GED at no cost. Classes are scheduled on the North and South Campuses and at a variety of community locations for convenience and access.
Those who have taken the GED test since 2002, but not passed all five parts, have until the end of 2013 to pass the test in its entirety, or they will need to start over again in 2014 with the new GED test in order to receive their high school equivalency credential.
Students work at their own pace, so the time to complete a section of the GED may take weeks or months based upon the individual readiness for the test.
“The GED test opens the door to college and better jobs. It gives the graduate the respect they deserve, and the satisfaction of earning a high school credential with the hope that they will continue with their education,” said Connor. “We want to be sure that everyone is aware of this deadline. GED test-takers must act now to finish and successfully complete the testing process before the current test expires.”
According to the GED Testing Service, more than a million Americans have started, but not completed, the current GED test.
“We are committed to helping the people of Rowan and Cabarrus counties gain the skills they need to become employable,” said Spalding. “In addition to free GED classes, we also offer free classes that prepare them to take the WorkKeys assessment to earn the nationally recognized Career Readiness Certificate (CRC). Armed with these two credentials, an individual’s chances for employment are greatly improved.”
The college’s North Carolina Research Campus facility is located at 399 Biotechnology Lane, Kannapolis.
For more information about the GED program at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, please visit www.rccc.edu/precollege/about-abe-ged/ or call 704-216-3510.