High School Equivalency (HSE) Program

Students in Harper College's High School Equivalency program work on analyzing a book in their English class on campus in Palatine, Illinois.

Earn Your High School Equivalency Diploma at Harper College

Harper College’s High School Equivalency (HSE) program offers the opportunity to earn a high school diploma with free classes that help students prepare for the HSE exams. Students will gain an understanding of core subjects such as math, science, social studies, and more to help prepare for high school equivalency and GED exams. Successful students may be eligible to receive an HSE scholarship for college after completing the program.

Harper’s free HSE classes are conveniently offered in the morning and evening to accommodate students with busy schedules. Classes meet between one and three times per week, depending on how many subject areas the student enrolls in. Harper also offers resources and Bridge Programs to help students transfer into college level courses after completing the HSE program.

Earning an HSE diploma will expand your opportunities to move forward in your education, career, and life. Harper is committed to helping you accomplish your goals and set you on the path to a brighter future. Get started today by exploring Harper’s High School Equivalency (HSE) program. Harper’s AED department operates under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

How to Apply

Get started on your HSE today by submitting an online application.

Click the Apply button to go to the application website.
Create a new user account.
Click Start New.
Scroll down to find the application for Adult Educational Development - High School Equivalency (HSE).
Select your preferred term. Example: Fall 2025
Answer all screening questions.
Save, review, and submit your application.

HSE Program Eligibility Requirements

Harper’s High School Equivalency program is available to adults without a high school diploma or its equivalent. If the student is under 18, a letter of withdrawal from the last high school attended is required before they can enroll in the HSE program.

High School Diploma Exams

Students must pass exams in the following subject areas to earn a high school equivalency diploma.

Language Arts

Reading comprehension and extended response writing

Mathematics

Basic math, geometry, basic algebra, graphs, and functions

Social Studies

Reading and analyzing Social Studies topics
Using graphs and numbers in Social Studies

Science

Reading comprehension in Science topics
Interpreting scientific experiments

Illinois Constitution Test

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a computer for class?

Yes, you will need a computer for a class. If you do not have one, Harper College Library's Semester Loan Technology program provides Chromebooks for enrolled students to borrow free of charge throughout the semester.

When does the fall or spring semester start?

The fall semester begins in August, and the spring semester starts in January. Specific dates are updated each year. For a more detailed breakdown of the school year, visit the Harper College Academic Calendar page.

How often do HSE classes meet?

Each HSE class meets once a week. If a student is enrolled in all three subject areas, the student would have class three times a week.

What are the HSE class hours?

HSE morning classes run from 9:00 am to 11:30 am, while evening classes are from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm.