Ability to Benefit

Prior to the new law, students who had not earned a high school diploma or GED^® test credential were eligible to receive federal Title IV financial aid such as the Pell grant or student loans if they could show the ability to benefit from a college education. This could be demonstrated by either achieving specific scores on an approved test like COMPASS or by successfully completing six credit hours of college coursework.

According to the new law, students who first enroll in a post-secondary program of study on or after July 1, 2012, must possess a high school diploma or GED^® test credential in order to be eligible for federal financial aid.

Visit GED^® testing for testing information.

^{GED® and GED Testing Service® are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education (ACE). They may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of ACE or GED Testing Service®. The GED® and GED Testing Service® brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC under license from the American Council on Education.}