CAN YOU GET FINANCIAL AID WITH A GED?

Yes, students can get financial aid with a GED diploma. According to the Federal Student Aid office, as long as you have a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a GED (General Educational Development) certificate, you qualify to obtain a career school or college education. Thus, financial aid is available for GED certificate holders.

Now that we’ve answered “can you get financial aid with a GED?”, let's take a look at the types of GED financial assistance available. After all, financial aid helps millions of students each year pay for the school of their choice.

There are several forms of financial aid available to Universal Technical Institute (UTI) students, including:

• Federal grant programs
• Federal loan programs
• Scholarships
• Financial aid for veterans
• Tuition reimbursement incentive program

GED Financial Assistance

If you don’t yet have your GED certificate and need financial assistance to obtain it, you may be able to get free GED testing from your healthcare insurance provider. Also, some states offer free GED tests, and some states partly subsidize those tests. Check with your state government’s official website to see if there is GED financial assistance if you need to take the GED test.

Once you’ve received your GED certificate, here are the types of financial aid available. You will need to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to be eligible. We can guide you on how to fill out a FAFSA form.

Grants

Grants are a type of financial aid paid that do not need to be repaid. They are usually provided based on financial need. Check out some grants offered by UTI.

Scholarships

There are thousands of scholarships GED certificate holders can apply for. The requirements of each one are unique. Some may be merit-based, while others are based on community service and interests. UTI will make more than $15 million in scholarships and grants available to students in 2022.¹⁰

Loans

A student loan is money borrowed to attend school, which must be paid back to the lender, sometimes with interest. You can apply for student loans here.

Tuition Reimbursement Incentive Program (TRIP)

If you needed more proof technicians are in high demand, check this out. Some employers will provide student loan repayment assistance, sign-on bonuses, tool purchase assistance and hiring incentive packages for working for them. UTI can provide more information on various Tuition Reimbursement Incentive Program (TRIP) options.¹⁴

Financial Aid for Veterans

Military veterans can use the GI Bill^® to help pay for their UTI education.²¹ They can also combine other forms of financial aid they get with the GI Bill^®. There are many veteran-specific scholarships available.

Financial Aid Options Are Available

There are many stories of students who have paid for school using only financial aid. Some apply for dozens of scholarships and combine the money they’re awarded to pay for their full education. Others use a combination of financial aid forms to cover the costs.

If you’re currently working for a shop, dealership or other technician-related employer, check in with your employer to see if they offer tuition reimbursement options, as well. Some employers will pay for their employees’ education, since it ultimately helps them grow their business.

Some other ways to finance your UTI education include:

• Work while you study. If you work in the field, you can apply what you're learning on the job.¹
• Save where you can. If you can cut costs in your expenses (like canceling subscriptions you don't use), you can put that money toward your education.

If you want to invest in your future, obtaining your GED diploma is the first step. Next, you can apply for financial aid, and then explore your options for attending UTI. For help obtaining your GED certificate, visit our website here.

If you have any questions about financial aid, contact our Financial Aid Department. We’re here to help.