MOULTRIE — Last year, almost 20,000 Georgians received their General Educational Development, or GED, credentials. But with more and more jobs now requiring at least some college experience, it’s “critically important” to help those GED graduates to continue on to a college education, Moultrie Technical College officials note.

Turning GED graduates into college graduates is the reason why Moultrie Technical College (MTC) was one of four Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) schools to be awarded a $7,500 federal grant to institute a new TCSG program called GED and Up. This College Access Challenge grant will help soon-to-be and recent GED graduates in Colquitt, Tift, Turner and Worth counties find what’s next regarding their post-secondary education.

“GED students typically struggle in organized school settings,” Doug Hall, GED instructor and coordinator of the GED and Up program at MTC, said. “This grant hopes to target those GED graduates who are unsure of their next educational step by reducing the stress associated with life changes.”

Following through with that step to higher education is important because, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, a person with GED credentials or a high school diploma earns, on average, $33,600 a year. Annual pay for those with some college but no degree climbs to $39,100 per year, while a person with a two-year degree earns an average of $41,400.

Currently, just one in every four Georgia GED graduates successfully transitions to a TCSG college program. Improving that ratio means thousands more Georgians can benefit from the specialized technical college programs that lead to better-paying jobs, even in today’s stagnant economy.

Moultrie Technical College’s GED and Up program will create a one-stop delivery approach that will make the transition from GED graduate to technical college student as smooth as possible. MTC representatives will help the student in selecting a career field, along with orientation to the college experience and tuition assistance.

Once enrolled, the students will receive ongoing tutoring and advice that will enhance their study skills. Their quarterly grades will be tracked and analyzed for help with advancement to their future course work and, ultimately, their college graduation and a better job in Georgia’s workforce.