EZ Press Release  -- April 26, 2010 Nation High School created the Nation Fund Program to accommodate the schedules and budgets of students seeking a high school diploma or GED. The program awards degrees on the basis of prior relevant life experience or successful completion of online equivalency testing on language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science. After finishing the Nation Fund Program, students receive official diplomas, official transcripts, and education verification letters that may be used to gain admission to post-secondary educational institutions and/or enhance professional credibility.

According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Education, only two percent of all college students enrolled at U.S. post-secondary institutions during the 2003-2004 school year did not possess high school diplomas. This indicates the valuable role that a Nation High School diploma can play for students who wish to improve their chances of gaining acceptance to the nation's colleges and universities.

In addition, diplomas earned through the Nation Fund Program can help stave off unemployment and result in higher earnings. Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that people with high school diplomas have higher employment rates and salaries than those who do not possess high school diplomas. In 2008, 9.0% of workers with less education than a high school diploma were unemployed. However, the percentage of unemployed workers with at least a high school diploma was much lower -- only 5.7%. And in accordance with education level, median weekly earnings in 2008 were higher for high school graduates. Those with less than a high school diploma earned, on average, $426 per week, while those with high school diplomas earned more substantial salaries around $591 per week.

With all of this data pointing towards the importance of high school diplomas, Nation High School is focused on helping students achieve their goals through the Nation Fund Program. "The students asked for the Nation Fund Program," said Steven O'Neil, president of the school board. "In response, we created a flexible, cost-effective degree option that will serve them well both educationally and professionally." He added, "We believe that no one should be barred from employment or matriculation on the condition of not being able to earn a high school diploma or online GED."