MIDLAND, Texas — College can be very expensive. So, something new and exciting has made its way to Midland College to help specific students out.
Starting in the Fall 2024 semester, if someone graduates with their GED, their first course at MC is completely free!
The director of Adult Education at Midland College, Deeksha Kaidan, described the program as a great initiative that will help GED graduates with their career advancement. It will also allow better life opportunities because education takes a person a long way.
In the Midland area, MC staff noticed that many students who completed the GED program didn't take the next step to continue their education, which is crucial to starting their career in the professional world.
"In the past semester we have about 98 graduates that that got their GED," Kaidan said. "They might have some hindrances in their past life, but they took a chance with their GED and that’s where it should not stop for them. This is kind of encouraging them that when we say that it does not stop, it starts so Midland College does offer you that opportunity."
This new initiative connects students to quality education, better pay and better careers. It acknowledges that college can be both challenging and rewarding.
Kaidan said the biggest struggles GED students face are finances and balances.
"They're starting life again in a way. Balancing their life, balancing their different and tight schedules, because they might be working somewhere and then finding the right balance," said Kaidan.
Even through those rough patches, Midland College is there every step of the way.
Kaidan wanted to reassure the public that MC has the answers to all the problems students would have.
"They just have to take that step, coming to us and they will find all the answers," said Kaidan.
When it comes to finding those answers, there is no limit to the class a student chooses.
From work force certificates to associate classes, as long as space is available, GED graduates never have to pay a cent.
“It’s not just one program," Kaidan said. "We work as a college together in it, we try to find ways around them like who could we send this student to, is it the advisors, is it the financial advisors or is it like this particular program they're interested in. We reach out to people that we know within our college so that we can really help that person with whatever they want.”
For now, the program is only for the Fall 2024 semester.
For more information on the free course initiative, or more on how to enroll in MC's GED program, click here.