You can enroll in almost any community college without a high school diploma or GED. You must complete their Math and English placement tests, so they know in which courses to place you. However, some colleges won’t allow you to take classes for credit until you’ve completed your GED. Some colleges may allow you to take classes for credit but not issue you a degree until you’ve completed your GED.

Without a diploma, GED or other recognized equivalent, such as the California High School Proficiency Exam Certificate, you have to pay your college tuition upfront or get a private loan. According to the U.S. Department of Education, in order to qualify for Federal Student Aid, you must “show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or completing a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law.”

Many high schools and colleges allow you to take college courses while still enrolled in high school as long as you meet eligibility requirements, such as a minimum B average. The class credits you receive often count toward both your high school diploma and college degree. Many high schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) classes, which are equivalent to college courses. If you pass the AP test after completing the class, you receive college credit for the comparable college course.

In most cases, it’s best to finish your high school diploma if you’re still enrolled in high school. If you drop out of high school to start college, you may find you haven’t yet acquired the necessary skills for success, and you will have to pay tuition for college enrollment. If you stay enrolled in high school, you can take college courses tuition-free, sometimes at your own high school.

Source: http://classroom.synonym.com/can-college-courses-diploma-ged-3483.html