High School Resources
The lack of a high school diploma or a GED is the top risk factor for homeless youth (Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago). Nearly 60 percent of today’s jobs will require at least some advance training. This means, that unhoused youth Dreams‘ must include getting their high school diploma or a GED. If you need assistance with enrolling in school, graduating high school or getting your GED, check-out the resources below:
Georgia's McKinney-Vento Liaisons
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, Title VII-B, Section 725(B), helps homeless children and youth who do not have a fixed, regular, and adequate place to sleep at night. Liaisons are in charge of identifying, enrolling, and supporting homeless students to succeed in school.
Homeless liaisons also offer free credit recovery, mental health coaching, and tutoring services for students experiencing homelessness across Georgia. To learn more, contact your district homeless liaison using the map below:
The map has two search options: (1) By Liaison Name or (2) By Select County. When using a mobile device, tap the filter button to switch between options.
Surviving High School
Free GED Classes
The Technical College System of Georgia offers Free GED classes. Classes are available throughout the state. Click below to locate a class near you:
Offers Hope 4 Tomorrow (H4T) a free mentoring program for youth 12 years and older. H4T gives youth an opportunity to have another positive, engaged person in their life who they can talk to about problems, help them set and achieve goals, and just do fun activities like playing ball or going to the movies. Click button below for more information:
Additional High School Support Programs
Georgia has created a singular program known as Dual Enrollment for students in grades 10-12 who qualify to participate. Students may enroll on a part-time or full-time basis as a Dual Enrollment student and take college courses at their high school or on a postsecondary campus. Dual Enrollment is designed to prepare students for college and career opportunities. Students will receive high school and college credit, industry recognized certification or licensure, an associate and/or higher college degree simultaneously when attending and passing approved Dual Enrollment courses.
Application Process
Application Procedure for Dual Enrollment | Georgia Student Finance Commission (gafutures.org)
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit the GAFutures Website to view frequently asked questions
Other State Financial Aid Programs
The GAFutures Website also provides information about a number of other programs for state financial aid.
For information on Dual Enrollment contact:
Jennifer Phinney
Program Specialist, Dual Enrollment
Cell: 404-558-5398
Email: jennifer.phinney@doe.k12.ga.us
Students participating in the GEAR UP Georgia programs around the state are provided supportive services to help receive their high school diploma, prepare for post-secondary education, prepare for careers, and support through their 1st year of college.
Gear Up Georgia Objectives:
- Increase targeted Cohort and Priority Students academic performance and preparation for postsecondary education
- Increase percentage of targeted Cohort and Priority Students who graduate from high school and enroll in a post-secondary institution
- Increase student and family knowledge of post-secondary education options, preparation, financing, and careers
- Increase targeted Cohort and Priority student persistence rates for year one of post-secondary education
To determine if there is a GEAR UP program in your county connect to the GEAR UP Program Coordinators Contact List. After locating the GEAR UP coordinator for your county contact them for information on the program and the schools in your county that are participating in GEAR UP.
Coaching Students to Achieve and Succeed!
Our Mission
The mission of The Orange Duffel Bag Initiative (ODBI), a 501c3 public charity, is to provide high school and college students, experiencing homelessness, foster care, or poverty, evidence- and trauma-informed coaching programs and ongoing advocacy to improve their education outcomes; support to their caring adults; and service to the community in a spirit of fostering equity and offering hope.
Working in concert with mission-aligned organizations through a collaboration for collective impact model, ODBI offers at-risk students of diverse races, ethnicities, cultures, gender identities, and disabilities, enrichment activities, trauma-informed nondirective counseling, and comprehensive programs that encourage and guide students via coaching and goal setting to create a plan for their education and future success.
Our Initiative
The ODBI initiative is to create community partnerships and achieve collective impact for positive systemic change and measurable results, and to serve and support students in need, helping them stay on track to achieve and succeed.
Connect to Orange Duffle Bag: https://theodbi.org, or call toll free: at 1-800-598-5150.
