Up to 2,000 Minnesotans could benefit from free testing through July 2016, expanding economic opportunity across Minnesota
Governor and Lt. Governor’s budget would extend free testing into 2017
ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Governor Mark Dayton and Lt. Governor Tina Smith announced that General Educational Development (GED) testing is available at no cost to eligible Minnesotans through July 2016, expanding economic opportunity for thousands of Minnesotans across the state.
“People who obtain a high school diploma can expect to earn significantly higher incomes in their lifetimes than those who do not,” said Governor Dayton. “This program will help reduce economic disparities in Minnesota, racially and geographically, to help ensure our economy works better for all Minnesotans. I urge the Legislature to approve funding this session to continue the program.”
Having a high school diploma or GED increases the earning power of individuals by 37.5 percent – that’s nearly a $10,000 per year median wage increase, which can make a significant difference for a Minnesota family.
“The GED provides a pathway to better jobs and opportunity,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “This proposal will make the GED more affordable for more Minnesotans. I urge the legislature to support the Governor's proposal, and help build an economy that works for everyone, everywhere in Minnesota.”
Minnesota has long invested $125,000 each year through the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) to partially reduce the cost of the GED test for some Minnesotans. An additional $100,000 in funding from the federal Workforce Investment Act is making the GED test free for Minnesotans through July 2016. The Governor and Lt. Governor’s 2016 Supplemental Budget proposal
would invest $120,000 to keep the test free for test takers into 2017.
MDE estimates that as many as 2,000 Minnesotans could benefit from this initiative in 2016. In 2015, more than 3,600 Minnesotans took the GED test. The GED test is comprised of four subject area tests, the total cost of which is normally $120.
