Low-income students get funds for college-level exams

Low-income New Jersey students who want to take the Advanced Placement exams for college credit will get to tap $481,219 in federal funds to pay for the tests' fees after the state Department of Education received money for the program, according to a press release from U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ).

The press release states that the program's aim is to increase "the number of low-income students who take AP tests and receive scores for which college academic credit is awarded."

Students typically pay $87 per exam, according to the website of the College Board, a non-profit organization that administers the AP exams. Many students take multiple tests with the fees adding up. Colleges usually award academic credit for an exam score that is 3 and above.

“Hardworking students should not be denied college credit simply because they can’t afford to take the Advanced Placement exam,” Lautenberg stated. “This federal funding will help ensure that more students in New Jersey have the opportunity to get a jump on their college education.”

“Aspiring students should see college-level coursework as a challenge, not a financial burden. And these resources are going to open that personal challenge - that personal opportunity – to thousands of students across New Jersey,” said Menendez in the same press release. “It’s a strong investment in New Jersey’s students of today, and leaders of tomorrow.”

The press release did not go into further detail on what income criteria students should meet. It did state that eligible education institutions would receive the funds.

In Belleville, Superintendent Joseph Picardo said that though he had not heard about the program or its specifics, he applauded its mission.

"It's a wonderful thing," he said. "It should certainly help (school) programs in their education."

Belleville already subsidizes part of the exam fee, he said. But the school district has had to reduce its contribution because of budget pressures.

In the last school year, Belleville students paid $20 while the school district picked up the rest of the tab, said Barbara Correnti, director of student personnel services. For this school year, 13 AP students who are eligible for reduced or free school lunch will pay $57 towards the exam fee - out of a total of 40 students who are slated to take the test.