Welcome & Intro

GED Scholars Initiative – Transition to Higher Education
The GED Scholars Initiative (GEDSI), the first of its kind in the nation, was created in 2002 by the Ohio Literacy Resource Center to address the specific needs of students who earn their GED and attend Kent State University. The GEDSI works in collaboration with other programs and offices on campus to provide resources to GED students.

GED graduates who apply and are accepted into higher education institutions commonly arrive with limited knowledge and understanding of the processes and procedures on campus. They may not know about financial aid options, academic status definitions, housing availability, and other available student services. This lack of information may result in lower grades; wasted time; increased stress and frustration; diminished success rates; and, at worst, increased drop-out rates.

Bridges Partners: Seeds of Literacy (Cleveland) Project Learn of Summit County Help Me Grow of Portage County Even Start of Windham and Ravenna Community Action Council (Portage County) Maplewood Career Center ABLE (Ravenna) Akron Urban League Youth Employment Program (YEP) (Cleveland) Haven of Rest (Akron) YO! Cleveland Kent Social Services Catholic Charities Housing and Emergency Support Services (HESS) Kent Presbyterian Church Job and Family Services of Portage County Miller House (Kent)

Bridges Program Thanks to the continued generosity of the Dominion Foundation, the GED Scholars Initiative has supported GED graduates throughout their transition to higher education at Kent State University. Since 2005, more than 95 GED holders from Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lorain, Portage, Richland, Stark, Summit, and Wayne counties have participated in the GEDSI Bridges Program. GEDSI staff and students visit area social service agencies and Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) programs to motivate students to obtain their GED and to support GED graduates in their quest for higher education. Bridges participants learn about the application process and enrollment; financial aid; housing; maintaining a GPA; study strategies; technology; time management and budgeting. The $40 application fee for each incoming student is waived, and a flash drive and academic planner are given to each participant. In addition, participants also receive a $300 book scholarship to help defray costs for their first semester at Kent State University. Upon completion of the Bridges program, students are assigned to a peer mentor. Mentors are GED Scholars who have successfully completed two or more semesters at Kent State University. The GEDSI Peer2Peer mentoring program ensures students receive beneficial, on-going support and guidance by encouraging community building and promoting a positive, successful learning experience.

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