Advanced Placement Test Fee Reduction

Memo From: Mike Barry, AP Program, The College Board

Re: AP Test Fee Program Funding Restored

The U.S. Department of Education notified states that it has provided the AP Test Fee Program with additional funds to cover the full costs of 2012 AP Exams for eligible low-income students. The funds will allow you to pay for all exams taken by qualifying students in May 2012.

This means that the AP Test Fee Program changes we announced to you on February 2nd, and communicated to AP schools on February 10th will be reversed (with one exception – the College Board fee reduction will remain at $26 per exam):

• The 2012 federal contribution to low-income students for most states will now be $53 per exam.
• There is no longer a required student fee of $15 per exam for up to three AP Exams per low-income student or a $53 fee for exams beyond the third exam.
  • Note: Some states that previously required students to pay a nominal fee per exam may continue to do so – this is a state-specific decision.
• There is no longer a limit on the number of exams funded per student, i.e., the three-exam cap has been removed.

Next Steps

The U.S. Department of Education is currently reviewing an updated Federal Register notice to allow them to re-open the grant competition for states. In the meantime:

• The ordering deadline for AP Exams has been extended to April 25 to help ensure that schools have an opportunity to place orders for any affected students. We emailed schools on Thursday, April 12 alerting them to the ordering deadline extension. If more time is needed beyond April 25 to order, alternate exams for late testing can be ordered up until May 18.
• With the AP Exam administration just three weeks away, we ask you to please share this information with your districts and schools as soon as possible.
• We will send an email to schools early next week, alerting them to the additional funding. Schools are asked to reach out to students and parents who may have elected not to sign up for AP Exams for reasons of cost, and encourage them to reconsider taking the exams.

If you have any questions about these changes, please contact Mike Barry at (212) 373-8726 or mbarry@collegeboard.org.

We thank the Federal government for its commitment to making AP Exams accessible to low-income students. This funding will allow thousands of additional students the opportunity to demonstrate their college readiness and earn valuable credit and placement.

For more information: College Board AP Central - AP Exam Fee Assistance