High School Equivalency Diploma

The High School Equivalency Tests (HiSET) give those who left high school prior to graduating the opportunity to earn their High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED). The HiSET exam certifies your academic knowledge is equivalent to that of a high school graduate in the following subject areas:

• Science
• Social Studies
• Mathematics
• Language Arts - Reading
• Language Arts - Writing

Learn more about the HiSET and resources available including:

• HiSET Test at a Glance (PDF) or HiSET Test at a Glance Spanish (PDF)
• Benefits of the HiSET (PDF) or Benefits of the HiSET Spanish (PDF)

Eligibility and Cost

In order to be enrolled in an Iowa HSED program, you must:

• not be currently enrolled in high school
• have been born before September 16, 2009
• have consent of parent or guardian if under 18 years of age
• if under 19 years of age, download and fill out the top portion of the Request for Admission to Test Age Waiver, have your High School fill out the bottom portion, and provide us with the completed form

All costs for the HSED program, including HiSET exam fees and study material, are covered by Northeast Iowa Community College.

Enrollment and Orientation

Dubuque Only: The enrollment and orientation process at the Dubuque Center is unique compared to all other locations, as it consists of two parts.

Part 1 of the Dubuque enrollment process, which takes approximately 30 minutes, occurs two weeks prior to the enrollment period. During this time, students will visit the NICC Dubuque Center to complete the following steps:

• Complete enrollment paperwork
• Speak with an Adult Education staff member about the HSED program expectations and requirements
• Schedule a time to take the CASAS Reading and Math pre-tests during Part 2 of the enrollment process
• Take home the assigned CASAS study booklet, which must be completed prior to your CASAS appointment

Part 2 of the Dubuque enrollment process, which takes approximately 3 hours, consists of the following:

• Attend your scheduled testing appointment, the completed study booklet is your entrance ticket to take the CASAS pre-tests
• Take the CASAS Reading & Math pre-tests, which measure your readiness to take the actual HiSET exams
• Create an Individual Learning Plan with one of our HSED instructors after completion of CASAS assessments

All other locations: The enrollment and orientation process typically takes 3 to 4 hours. During this time you will learn about the program, complete enrollment forms, take a pre-test in both Reading and Math, and meet with an Adult Education and Literacy team member to create a learning plan that will be your guide toward successful completion of the HiSET exam.

Enrollment periods are listed below. To schedule enrollment or learn about upcoming sessions, please call or email:

Adult Education & Literacy
844.642.2338, ext. 3600
ael@nicc.edu

Enrollment may be completed at the following locations:

Enrollment is available at all locations on a managed basis, with a new session beginning every two months. See below for enrollment dates. An appointment must be schedule at least one week prior to the first day of the upcoming enrollment period.*

* If you plan on enrolling at the Dubuque Center, please review the two part enrollment process explained above.

Enrollment & Orientation Dates

Please be aware that Dubuque parking is metered. However, if you park in the Iowa Street Parking Ramp and bring us your ticket, we can put a validation sticker on it that will cover the cost when you're ready to leave for the day.

Academic Support Options

• Calmar Campus In-Person* (Wilder Business Center Room 108): Walk-in every Tuesday & Thursday, 10:00am - 3:00pm, except the third Thursday of each month
• Cresco Center In-Person*: Walk-in on the first Monday of each month, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
• Decorah IowaWORKS Office In-Person* (312 Winnebago St): Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00pm 
• Dubuque In-Person: Monday - Thursday, 9:00am - 2:00pm
• Dubuque Tutoring Appointments: Monday - Thursday, 2:00pm - 4:00pm (Must schedule 24 hours in advance)
• Manchester Center In-Person*: Every other Thursday, 9:00am - 4:00pm
• Oelwein Center In-Person*: Wednesdays, 9:00am - 2:00pm
• Waukon Center In-Person*: Walk-in on the third Thursday of each month, 2:00pm - 5:00pm
• Study Online: Subject to availability
• Approved Homework: Assigned by instructor to be completed at home

* If you plan on attending somewhere other than Dubuque, please communicate with your instructor at least 24 hours in advance to ensure walk-in schedules have not changed.

Testing Accommodations

Interested in Testing Accommodations? Please review the HiSET ADA Accommodations Policy and Process and do not hesitate to inform our team at the time of enrollment. Supply our staff with the required documentation and we will submit the Accommodations Request Form for you!

Completion and Graduation Ceremony

Diplomas are processed through Diploma Sender after all five HiSET subjects have been completed.

As a graduate, you will receive a scholarship to NICC for a free 3 credit class or its equivalent value toward a Career Pathway Certificate, as well as many other new opportunities:

• find a better job in just a few months with a Career Pathway Certificate
• continue your education in one of our career programs
• earn your degree tuition-free, if you qualify for Iowa's Last-Dollar Scholarship
• find a new job through IowaWorks

Meet Our Staff