If you left high school without a diploma, you do not have to pay for expensive classes to finish. San Antonio has several programs that teach GED prep for free — with real teachers, practice tests, and in some cases a free voucher that covers the test itself.
This guide walks through where the free classes are, who can take them, what the GED test covers, and exactly who to call to start. Help applying and guidance are free. Each program checks eligibility when you enroll — nothing here is automatic, and this site does not submit applications for you.
What a GED gets you in Texas
Passing the GED earns you the Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (TxCHSE), issued through the Texas Education Agency. Employers and colleges in Texas treat it as a high school equivalency credential.
The GED has four subjects: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. According to the Texas Education Agency, scores range from 100 to 200, and you need a minimum of 145 on each of the four exams to pass.
You do not have to take all four at once. Most San Antonio students study one or two subjects at a time, test when they are ready, and move on to the next.
Who can take the GED test in Texas?
Texas Education Agency rules say a test taker must generally:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a Texas resident, with proof of residency such as a Texas driver license or DPS ID, a utility or cell phone bill, bank statement, paycheck stub, tax return, or government mail showing a Texas address
- Not be enrolled in an accredited high school
- Not already be a high school graduate from an accredited high school
- Have a government-issued photo ID
There are age exceptions. A 17-year-old can qualify with parent or guardian permission, and a 16-year-old can qualify in limited cases — for example if they are in the care of a state agency, under a court order, or enrolled in a Job Corps training program. If that is your situation, ask the prep program when you call — they handle these cases regularly.
Classes themselves are separate from the test. You do not have to take a class to test, but free prep makes a big difference, especially for math.
1. Alamo Colleges — free GED prep, practice tests, and exam vouchers
Alamo Colleges District, through the Alamo Adult Education Program, offers High School Equivalency / GED prep at no cost to eligible learners, with year-round offerings at multiple locations as well as online options.
At San Antonio College (SAC), the program offers free morning, afternoon, face-to-face, or self-paced courses covering all four GED subjects. Learners also receive practice tests and GED exam vouchers, plus guidance on career or college planning as they near completion.
SAC also runs a GED-to-College program for students who plan to enroll at San Antonio College after passing — it adds TSI test preparation, academic advisement, financial aid assistance, degree planning, and registration help, all free.
Eligibility for Alamo Adult Education (from Alamo Colleges): 18 or older, bring an unexpired required document such as a U.S. Real ID or U.S. birth certificate, have not earned an associate degree or higher, be willing to take assessments, and be committed to completing the program. SAC’s GED page also lists: be permitted to work in the U.S. and have a valid photo ID.
Timely — Spring 2027 at SAC: Registration opened September 1, 2026, the last day to apply is December 1, 2026, and the 12-week term runs January 19 to April 14, 2027 — day classes 9 a.m.–2 p.m. or evening classes 6–9 p.m., with mandatory orientation January 14, 2027. Dates are subject to change, so confirm when you apply.
To start: Call SAC GED at 210-486-1455 (Oppenheimer Academic Center, Room 219, Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) or Alamo Adult Education at 210-485-0244, and complete the interest form on the SAC GED page linked below. San Antonio College is also an official GED testing center designated by the Texas Education Agency — exams are in the Fletcher Administration Building, Room 103, and you schedule at GED.com.
2. Restore Education — free instruction, materials, and one voucher per subject
Restore Education is a San Antonio nonprofit that offers GED test preparation in both English and Spanish, with remote, morning, afternoon, and evening options.
Restore states: “Learning materials, instruction, and one test voucher per subject of the GED are free to students” who complete all enrollment steps. That voucher matters — see test costs below. If you do not pass a section, you are responsible for the cost of retaking that section.
Restore also offers an accelerated 8-week GED Now class and dual-enrollment options to start college or career training while finishing your GED. Restore says the average student completes its program in 6–12 months, students are expected to log a minimum of 8 hours a week and complete 40 hours within two months, and they take a baseline test, progress test, and GED practice tests.
Eligibility at Restore: 16 or older with a state ID/driver license or another approved identity document. If you are 16, you need a court order, withdrawal forms from your last high school, and parent permission. If you are 17–18 without a diploma, you need withdrawal forms and parent permission.
Locations: Main Campus — 4205 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212 — 210-432-6123. Eastside Center for Excellence — 4603 East Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78220 — 210-660-3373. Enrollment is open now.
3. NEISD Adult Education — free classes in English and Spanish
North East ISD Adult & Community Education states plainly: “All our classes are FREE of charge.” That includes high school equivalency prep in math, science, social studies, and language arts — offered in English and in Spanish, so you can prepare and take the GED exam in the language of your choice.
Classes are for students 18 and over. If you are 17, bring official withdrawal papers from your last school and a letter from a parent or legal guardian granting permission. If you are 16, you also need a court order stating you are required to attend class. NEISD notes classes are self-paced — the more you attend and prepare, the sooner you are ready to test.
To start: Ferrari Learning Center, 107 W. Rampart Dr, San Antonio, TX 78216 — 210-356-7551.
4. SAISD and other free providers across the city
The San Antonio Public Library’s list of free GED providers (verified January 7, 2026) includes these additional places — call first to confirm current class times, because schedules change by semester:
- SAISD Adult and Community Education Center — 1006 N. Colorado St — 210-554-2450. SAISD also lists the Margarita Huantes Learning Center, 1411 Guadalupe St — 210-554-2453.
- Palo Alto College — Community Programs — 1400 W. Villaret Blvd — 210-486-3444.
- San Antonio College Empowerment Center — 703 Howard St — 210-486-0455.
- Alamo Colleges Westside Education & Training Center — 6500 Ingram Rd — 210-485-0240.
- Healy-Murphy Center — 618 Live Oak St — 210-223-2944.
- Northside ISD — Northside Learning Center — 6632 Bandera Rd — 210-397-8100.
- Southwest ISD Community Education — 11914 Dragon Lane — 210-622-4345.
Not sure which site is closest? Dial 2-1-1 — see our guide to how to use 2-1-1 Texas in San Antonio for what they will ask.
What does the GED test itself cost?
Prep classes above are free, but the official test normally has a fee. At a Texas testing center, the fee is $36.25 per subject — $145 for all four — paid when you register at GED.com. That is why the vouchers matter: Alamo Colleges says its learners receive GED exam vouchers, and Restore Education gives one free test voucher per subject to students who complete enrollment steps. Ask about vouchers before you pay anything out of pocket.
Do not pay a website that promises a “GED diploma online” without testing — Texas only issues the TxCHSE when you pass the official GED test series. Legitimate registration is through GED.com or an official testing center like San Antonio College.
After your GED: what opens up next
- Free job training: With a GED in hand, many workforce programs open up. See free job training programs in San Antonio.
- College: SAC’s GED-to-College track is built for this step, and Texas students should watch application-fee windows — see free college application week in Texas for how those free-application periods work.
Not sure what else you may qualify for?
Someone working on a GED often may qualify for other help too — with food, childcare, transportation, or training costs. Our free Apply for Me review looks at your situation and points you to potential matches. We do not submit government applications or complete paperwork for you — we help you see what you may qualify for and where to apply.
Start the free Apply for Me review →
Helpful links & phone numbers
- San Antonio College GED preparation
- Alamo Colleges Adult Education
- Restore Education — high school equivalency
- NEISD Adult Education
- SAISD Adult and Community Education
- Texas Education Agency — GED eligibility
- Texas Education Agency — passing scores
- 2-1-1 Texas — 210-486-1455 for SAC GED, 2-1-1 for help finding classes near you
Frequently asked questions
Are GED classes in San Antonio really free?
Yes, at the programs in this guide. Alamo Colleges says its Adult Education courses are at no cost to eligible learners, Restore Education provides instruction, materials, and one test voucher per subject free to students who complete enrollment steps, and NEISD says all of its classes are free of charge.
How much does it cost to take the GED test in Texas?
At a testing center, $36.25 per subject, or $145 for all four subjects, paid when you register at GED.com. If you finish a prep program, you may not need to pay at all: Alamo Colleges gives learners exam vouchers and Restore Education provides one free voucher per subject. Ask about vouchers before paying.
Can I take GED classes in Spanish?
Yes. NEISD offers math, science, social studies, and language arts in Spanish, and Restore Education offers GED preparation in both English and Spanish. You can take the GED exam itself in Spanish too.
How long does it take to get a GED?
It depends on where you start and how often you attend. Restore Education says its average student finishes in 6–12 months, and its accelerated GED Now class takes 8 weeks. Studying a little every day gets you there faster.
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