Good Neighbor Initiative Encourages Individuals Without a High School Diploma to Earn Their GED by the End of Year

PHOENIX, Aug. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Individuals who want to further their education, but feel limited because they don't have a high school diploma, are being encouraged by the Good Neighbor Initiative (GNI) to earn their GED before the end of the year, when the test format and materials change nationwide.

"Earning a GED has the potential to empower individuals and families because it opens doors to higher education opportunities that otherwise would not be possible," said Cindy Smith, campus director of the Phoenix campus. "Our Good Neighbor Initiative is here to help anyone who hasn't completed high school or fully finished the GED."

The new GED test, which goes into effect in January, is changing in several ways, including material covered and the testing process. Students who have not yet taken or have only passed certain sections of the exam must complete it by the end of the year or be required to start over. Most individuals who go through GNI's GED classes need between six and eight weeks to successfully complete the course and take the test.

The Good Neighbor Initiative is a community outreach service that provides free GED help and covers the cost of taking the exam. It was launched last year by the Center for Excellence in Higher Education (CEHE) and its family of colleges, including CollegeAmerica, Stevens-Henager College campuses in Utah and Idaho; and California College San Diego in California.  

Since the initiative launched, many GNI students have gone on to pursue additional higher education within their communities, strengthening their local economies and providing more stability for their families. CollegeAmerica offers associate, bachelor's and master's degrees in healthcare, business, information technology and graphic arts.

By offering a free GED preparatory course and even paying for students to take the GED exam, the Good Neighbor Initiative supports people in their first step toward opportunities that would not be available without a high school equivalent. It is the only service of its kind that pays for the exam fees in addition to all preparatory courses.*

The availability of specialized GNI courses varies by campus, depending on the needs of the community, but all on-ground campuses offer free GED preparation classes. Some of the specialized offerings include CPR, computer skills, employment workshops and more. To find out which GNI offerings are available in their area, community members should contact the campus closest to them.

For more information about the Good Neighbor Initiative, visit www.goodneighborinitiative.com. For more information CollegeAmerica, visit www.collegeamerica.edu.

About CollegeAmerica®
Established in 1964, CollegeAmerica provides career-focused higher education in Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona. Offering undergraduate degree programs in healthcare, business, graphic arts and computer science, CollegeAmerica is committed to preparing professionals for meaningful careers and an increased sense of satisfaction. Dedicated to advancing higher-education opportunities in its communities, CollegeAmerica also provides free GED® preparation and other courses through its Good Neighbor Initiative.* CollegeAmerica has two main campuses in Denver and Flagstaff, and branch campus locations in Fort Collins, Colorado Springs (with an additional satellite campus in South Colorado Springs), Cheyenne, and Phoenix.  For more information, call 801-312-0079. CollegeAmerica is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

* The Good Neighbor Initiative is not included in the scope of accreditation. GED® and GED Testing Service® are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education® and may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the American Council on Education.

SOURCE CollegeAmerica