WSU offering free GED courses for those who qualify
Students walk around Weber State University in Ogden on Tuesday, February 16, 2016.
OGDEN — For those who qualify, getting a GED high school equivalency diploma now is free.
The Weber State University Community Education Center is offering a program funded by the Department of Workforce Services that covers all costs of a General Education Development diploma for qualified applicants.
To qualify, an applicant must have an income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, be a legal United States resident for at least five years and have at least one child under the age of 18 living in the home. For a family of four, the income limit would be $48,600, and for a family of two, the limit would be $32,040.
“The Department of Workforce Services pays for all registration and any costs involved with testing and practice tests,” said Pablo Morales, program administrator at the WSU Community Education Center. He was speaking about programs for qualified participants.
“This is a great opportunity for people to sign up for the GED,” he said.
The program, housed in the lower level of the Red Cross Building, at 2955 Harrison Blvd. in Ogden, Suite 102, is offered through one-on-one tutoring or online classes, Morales said.
Staff members are doing whatever they can to help those who need a GED to be successful, Morales said. They are working to set times for small group courses based on when students want them.
Morales said his goal is to get as many people registered as he can.
He said employers are continually putting more emphasis on education, and those without at least a GED have a much more difficult time getting a job.
According to the center’s website, continue.weber.edu/cec/, anyone may register for a $30 course offered from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the center.
The website indicates the course includes a mentor to help in preparation. Participants also may study from home and at their own pace.
Call 801-626-7911 or visit the center to register, for either the free or the paid course. The center is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and has extended hours until 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
An additional program housed at the center offers free help for starting college, including applying to WSU, signing up for classes and applying for financial aid.
Another program teaches computer basics.
According to the website, the classes cover all computer basics, from using email, browsing the internet and protecting personal files and photos. The class also teaches the basics of Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and Excel.
All programs are available in Spanish and English.
You may reach reporter JaNae Francis at 801-625-4228. Follow her on Twitter at @JaNaeFrancisSE or like her on Facebook.