The Ability to Benefit (ATB) program offered at Pensacola State College allows students without a high school diploma, GED, or home-school diploma to earn a GED and a Career Certificate in a high-demand job in less than a year, at the same time! Additionally, ATB students may be qualified to receive federal financial aid to help pay for tuition, books, and supplies while enrolled.
The following academic programs are eligible for ATB students:
- Advanced Welding Technology
- Carpentry
- Cosmetology
- Electricity
- Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
- Massage Therapy
- Medical Assisting
- Plumbing
- Practical Nursing
- Welding Technology
*Please note that these are Limited Access Programs and only have a certain number of seats available year. You must go through the process of applying and being offered a spot so it is important to apply early! For more information about applying to Limited Access programs, please click here.
Fill out the ATB Program Interest Form
- Interested in learning more about the ATB program? Fill out the interest form here.
Meet with the ATB Advisor
- Our ATB Advisor, Erin Roush, will review your interest form and will schedule a meeting with you to review your eligibility.
Apply and Be Accepted to the College
- Complete an application to the College for one of the eligible programs here.
Take the Accuplacer Test
Take the Accuplacer test through the College’s Testing Center to identify areas to focus on to prepare for the GED exam. To be eligible for the program, students must pass each section with the following scores; see table provided below. Schedule your Accuplacer test here.
| Accuplacer Sections and Scores to Determine Eligibility for the ATB Program |
| Accuplacer Test Section |
Minimum Passing Score for Eligibility |
| Reading |
233 |
| Writing |
235 |
| Arithmetic |
230 |
Complete the FAFSA
Complete the PSC Scholarship Application
- Complete the application here.
ATB participants will receive learning materials through a specialized online course developed by highly qualified individuals with years of experience preparing adult learners for the GED. The learning environment is tailored to fit the needs of each student by only providing materials and information that fill any gaps the individual needs to successfully pass the GED exam. This guided course will include quizzes and ReadyTest practice tests that mirror the official GED exam.
Meet with Your ATB Advisor
- Meet with the ATB advisor, Erin Roush, and register for classes for your Career Certificate program.
Meet with Your Financial Aid Advisor
- Meet with your Financial Aid advisor and ensure all aid-related tasks are completed. The Financial Aid office will review eligibility and award aid or scholarship funds.
Prepare for the GED Test
- All ATB students will be enrolled in the Adult Education and Literacy Course by PSC and meet with the ATB advisor on a regular basis to ensure they are completing lessons in a timely manner.
Pass Your Classes!
- Successfully complete at least 225 clock hours during your first term in PSC’s ATB program.
Plan to Take Your GED Test
- Schedule a time to take the GED exam by the end of the term.
- Enroll and complete coursework in the Adult Education and Literacy course to prepare them to take the GED exam.
To learn more about the ATB program, please fill out an interest form here.
