If you do not already have an email account, follow these easy instructions:

1. You must be connected to the Internet. (home, library,    friend)

2.  Go to www.yahoo.com

3.  Near the right hand margin find: Free Mail: Sign Up

4.  Click on the words: Sign Up 

5.  Complete the registration form.

6.  Read "Terms of Service"

7.  Click "I Agree."

8. Remember to print out or write down your email address and password.

Once you have established an email account, you may then obtain a free Ohio Department of Education (ODE) SAFE Account. Please follow these instructions:

1.   You must have a valid driver’s license or a State ID.

2.   Have your social security number available.

3.   Have your valid e-mail address (Yahoo!) available.

4.   Go to: www.education.ohio.gov

5.   At the bottom of the home page you will a listing of topics.  Under the topic "Families" click on the GED link.

6.   From the choices on this next page click on "GED Web Application Sign In"

7.   On this page you will see the following instruction: 
"If you do not have a SAFE account, you may establish one by clicking here. Your account and online GED application may be approved in as little as 24        hours." Click on the link "here".

8.   On this page choose  the option : If you do not have a SAFE account click here

9.   Read the "Agreement Information"

10.  Click "I Agree"

11.  You will now complete Steps 1 - 6 of the process.

During this process you will have to return to your Yahoo email account (or your established email account) and check for an email from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE)confirming your SAFE account application. You will then be directed back to the SAFE account page where you will establish your account name and password.  MAKE SURE TO COPY THEM DOWN AND STORE THEM IN A SECURE PLACE.

  IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU OPEN THE EMAIL AND PRINT THE CONFIRMATION. YOU WILL NEED THE INFORMATION FOR THE NEXT STEP.

Be  sure to keep a record of your SAFE account name and password.

After obtaining the ODE SAFE Account you are now ready......

The quickest way to apply for the GED Official Test is to apply online. To do this you must go to the web site: 

	At the bottom of the home you will a listing of topics.  Under the topic "Families" click on the GED link.
	From the choices on this next page click on "GED Web Application Sign In"
	On this page you will see the following instruction: To apply for your GED test, check on the status of your GED application or view your test results online, please sign in to your Secure Application For Enterprise (SAFE) account by clicking  here.  After clicking "here", you will then be directed to the SAFE portal sign in page where you will enter your account name and password for your ODE Safe account. Follow the instructions given to complete the application.
	If you anticipate or have received a fee waiver, you need to choose the program at which you took your practice test. If you took the Official Practice Test through the Parma ABLE program you must choose  PARMA from the list of sites. We will then be contacted by the ODE to verify your fee wavier.
	If you are 18 years old or younger, you will need to have verification that you have officially withdrawn from school. This may be done electronically if your Superintendent has an established SAFE Account. If not, it will be your responsibility to have your Superintendent sign a paper form verification. You will then mail this form to: GED Application Office, 25 S. Front Street, 1st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.
	If you did not pass the practice test, click "No." A confirmation form will need to be printed if you are paying for the test. This form can be printed at the conclusion of the application process. Please complete the confirmation form, attach your $40.00 money order, and mail it to: GED Application Office, 25 S. Front Street, 1st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.

Additional benefits of having a SAFE account and applying online include:

Once you have a SAFE account, you can use it to check the status of your GED record, which means you can see when your application is approved. Once your application is approved contact the Parma City Schools GED Office at 440-887-4877 to register for a given date and location

After completing the GED Test, you can check on your results by using your SAFE account. If your search indicates "No Record Found," your test has not yet been scored. Once your test has been scored, you will see a "Pass" or "Fail." If it indicates "Pass", Congratulations and Good Luck to you! Call us at 440-887-4877 for any further counseling. If it says "Fail", don’t worry, just call us at 440-887-4877, and we will discuss what is the best next step for you.

Things to Remember

If you apply online, you will not be sent a conformation from the Ohio Department of Education.  You must call Parma ABLE at 440-887-4877 after three (3) days to confirm that your application has been approved.

	If you want a Fee Waiver which will save you $40, you must first take and pass the Official Practice Test.
	After passing the practice test, you will receive (want to apply for) a Fee Waiver. The Test Center will complete that portion of the process (input your scores) if you have marked that on your on-line application.
	If applying without taking the Official Practice Test, print the application confirmation number, attach a $40 money order to the confirmation form, and mail to: GED Application Office, 25 S. Front Street, 1st Floor, Columbus, OH 43215.
	If you are ages 16, 17, or 18 you must get an Age Waiver Form signed by guardian/parent and superintendent of school district.
	If you are age 18, the superintendent of your school district can sign online (only if you use the online application process) or can sign the paper application prior to your sending it to the State of Ohio GED Office in Columbus.

FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE,

PLEASE CALL

PARMA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

GED TESTING CENTER

440-887-4877

OR

THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION GED OFFICE

1-877-644-6338

Back to the GED Home Page