The advanced placement test fee for the 2021-2022 school year will be offset with support from the College Board and the New Jersey Department of Education for students enrolled in an AP class and who qualify as low-income, according to an advisory from the NJDOE.
A low-income student is defined as a child, age 5 through 19, from a low-income family based on eligibility for free or reduced-price lunches under the National School Lunch Act.
College Board Fee Reduction: This year, the College Board is charging $96 per AP exam, except for AP seminar exams and AP research exams. College Board’s standard fee for the 2022 AP seminar exam and the AP research exam is $144 per exam. Schools will be expected to forgo their $9 rebate per exam. College Board provides a $34 fee reduction per exam for eligible students with financial need.
NJDOE Contribution: In addition, for all students that qualify, the NJDOE will provide a $27 contribution toward the remaining balance of the test fee, except for AP seminar and AP research exams. The NJDOE will provide a $75 contribution toward the AP seminar and AP research exams.
Other Federal Funding Sources (Title I-A, Title IV-A, and ESSER): Finally, under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act, districts are permitted to dedicate a portion of the Title I, Part A and/or Title IV, Part A funding they receive to defray the cost of AP and other advanced course or industry credential exams taken by low-income students. These costs are also allowable under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund. For more information on allowable uses of ESEA funds, refer to the NJDOE’s ESEA District Guide.
If intending to use Title I, Part A, Title IV, Part A, or ESSER funds for this purpose, districts must ensure such costs are supported by their needs assessment and reflected in the budget section of their 2021-2022 ESEA consolidated application or their ESSER application, as applicable, in the NJDOE’s electronic web-enabled grant system.
Contact the advanced placement test fee program with questions.