$21.5 Million in Grants Awarded to 43 States to Cover Fees Charged to Low-Income Students for Taking AP Tests

The U.S. Department of Education today announced the award of more than $21.5 million in grants to 43 states to cover fees charged to low-income students for taking Advanced Placement tests.

Based on the anticipated number of test-takers and other factors, the grants under the Advanced Placement Test Fee Program are expected to pay up to the full costs of Advanced Placement exams taken by students. States may opt to require students to pay a portion of the costs.

"Advanced Placement participation is an important element in creating a college-going culture in our high schools," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. "AP courses help students develop the study skills, critical reasoning and habits of mind that prepare them for the transition to college. They give students—particularly first-generation college-goers—the confidence that they can successfully handle college-level work."

By subsidizing test fees for low-income students, the program is intended to encourage those students to take AP tests and obtain college credit for high school courses, reducing the time and cost required to complete a postsecondary degree.

"These funds will help eliminate financial roadblocks for more low-income students and allow them to fully benefit from the AP program," Duncan said.

The grants can be used to help pay for low-income students taking AP tests administered by the College Board and Diploma Programme exams managed by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

Levels of funding per state were determined on the basis of state estimates of the numbers of tests that would be taken by low-income students. Following is a list of the grant recipients.

2012 Discretionary Grants for the Advanced Placement Test Fee Program
Office of Elementary and Secondary Education