Memo No. 042-21: GED® Testing Vouchers Available to Local Adult Education Providers

In 2020, Virginia instituted a “Test for Free in Virginia” campaign to promote free GED® testing as a means to increase the number of individuals earning their secondary credential. This memo announces the availability of additional GED® testing vouchers purchased by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) for adult education providers funded through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), Title II, Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA). This investment will support up to 712 individuals to test for free and earn a GED® credential.

This statewide campaign allows prospective test takers to receive free testing vouchers if they meet three requirements: 1) enroll in an adult education program; 2) attend at least 12 hours of instruction (synchronous in-person or remote classes or via distance education); and 3) earn a passing score on the GED Ready® practice test.

Vouchers will be available until all funds for this project have been expended within the 2021-2022 program year and should be requested before any state program grant funds are used for testing vouchers. Vouchers are worth $30 and will support in-person testing only. When an adult education student has met all of the eligibility requirements for free testing and is ready for test registration, the Program Manager, or designee, must call the Virginia GED® Helpline at 1-877-376-9433 to request and secure testing vouchers. The vouchers will be sent via email to the designated staff member. Allow two business days for turnaround on requests.

If you have any questions, please contact Sue Mansfield, Ed.D., High School Equivalency Specialist, by email at gedinfo@doe.virginia.gov or by telephone at (804) 225-3999.