
In Ohio, there have been concerns about the financial burden of AP exams on disadvantaged students. While the College Board offers a $37 fee reduction for students with financial needs, the cost of exams is still significant, at about $100 per test. Previously, the federal government provided further support, but this was eliminated in 2016. Ohio proposed allocating $5 million per year to fund a cost-reimbursement program for low-income students, ensuring they can access rigorous academic content and competitive college applications without financial barriers. The state has also reimbursed schools for eligible exam fees, with the ODE covering most testing costs for low-income students in 2017-18. These efforts aim to address the challenge of making AP exams more accessible and equitable for disadvantaged students in Ohio.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| AP exam fees | $100 per test |
| College Board fee reduction | $37 per AP Exam |
| State contribution | $33 per AP Exam |
| Proposal | The state should allocate $5 million per year to fund this cost-reimbursement program |
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What You'll Learn
- The College Board offers a $37 fee reduction per AP exam for disadvantaged students
- The Ohio Department of Education covered most testing costs for low-income students in 2017-18
- The cost of AP exams in Ohio is around $100 per test
- The state of Ohio pays $33 per AP exam for students who qualify for the College Board fee reduction
- The proposal to make AP exams free for low-income students in Ohio

The College Board offers a $37 fee reduction per AP exam for disadvantaged students
The fee reduction is available to public school students who qualify based on financial need. The College Board advises that students talk to their AP coordinator to find out what support is available and how to submit any AP exam fees they owe. The deadline to indicate students' fee reduction status is April 30, 2025, and invoices are automatically generated and sent via email after late-testing administration.
The College Board's fee reduction program is supplemented by additional funding and support from individual states. For example, the state of Arizona pays $53 per AP exam for fee-reduced public school students, while the state of Ohio pays $33 per AP exam.
Despite these efforts, there is uncertainty about the continuation of financial assistance for low-income students. Previously, the federal government provided further support for exam fees, but this program was eliminated in 2016. Districts can still use federal funds to help low-income students, but they are not required to do so.
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The Ohio Department of Education covered most testing costs for low-income students in 2017-18
The cost of AP exams in the United States can present a significant financial challenge to low-income students, with each exam costing around $100. While the College Board does offer a fee reduction of $37 per AP exam, this still leaves students with a substantial sum to pay out of pocket.
In Ohio, the ODE (Ohio Department of Education) stepped in to address this issue during the 2017-18 academic year. Recognizing the importance of supporting low-income students in accessing advanced academic opportunities, the ODE covered most of the testing costs for this demographic. This intervention was particularly significant given the elimination of a federal program that previously provided financial assistance for low-income students' exam fees.
The ODE's initiative aligns with proposals to ensure that Advanced Placement (AP) exams are provided at no cost to low-income students. Advocates argue that AP exams are critical for building competitive college applications and offering an opportunity to earn credits while in high school. By removing financial barriers, low-income students can fully take advantage of the benefits of AP programs and improve their educational and career prospects.
While the ODE's efforts during the 2017-18 school year provided much-needed relief, it is unclear whether this level of financial assistance for low-income students will continue in the future. The sustainability of such initiatives relies on state allocation of funds, with proposals suggesting a need for $5 million per year to fully cover AP testing fees for Ohio's low-income students.
The ODE's intervention highlights the commitment to ensuring educational equity and access for all students, regardless of their financial background. By covering most testing costs during 2017-18, the ODE took a significant step toward supporting low-income students in Ohio and empowering them to pursue their academic goals and aspirations.
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The cost of AP exams in Ohio is around $100 per test
The Advanced Placement (AP) exams in Ohio cost around $100 per test. While the College Board, which administers the AP exams, offers a fee reduction of $37 per exam for students with significant financial need, the cost can still be a burden for low-income students.
In recognition of this, Ohio has taken steps to address the financial burden of AP exams for low-income students. In the 2017-18 school year, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) intervened to cover most of the testing costs for low-income students. Additionally, Ohio has proposed allocating $5 million annually to fund a cost-reimbursement program for AP exam fees for low-income students.
The high cost of AP exams can be a barrier for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, especially those who are low-income. AP exams are not just expensive; they are also rigorous academic assessments that can enhance college applications and offer opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school. By making these exams more accessible to low-income students, Ohio is taking steps to support educational equity and provide equal opportunities for advanced academic pursuits.
While the state has shown a commitment to helping disadvantaged students with AP exam fees, the future of federal support is uncertain. Previously, the federal government provided additional financial assistance to defray exam fees for low-income students. However, Congress eliminated this program in 2016, leaving the continuation of such assistance unclear. Despite this setback, Ohio's proactive measures demonstrate a recognition of the importance of ensuring that financial circumstances do not hinder a student's ability to pursue advanced educational opportunities.
The cost of AP exams in Ohio, typically around $100 per test, has sparked discussions and proposals to alleviate the financial burden on disadvantaged students. While the College Board offers a fee reduction, Ohio has gone further with initiatives like the ODE's intervention and proposed reimbursement programs. These efforts reflect a commitment to ensuring that all students, regardless of income, have access to the benefits of AP exams, fostering a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape in the state.
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The state of Ohio pays $33 per AP exam for students who qualify for the College Board fee reduction
The state of Ohio supports low-income students by subsidizing the cost of Advanced Placement (AP) exams. While the College Board offers a fee reduction of $37 per AP exam for students with significant financial need, the state of Ohio further contributes by paying $33 per AP exam. This combined effort ensures that disadvantaged students have access to rigorous academic opportunities that can enhance their college applications and provide an early start to earning college credits.
The College Board's fee reduction program is designed to help students who face financial challenges. The organization recognizes that the cost of AP exams, typically around $100 per test, can be a burden for some families. By offering a reduced fee, the College Board aims to make AP exams more accessible to low-income students, ensuring that financial barriers do not limit their academic pursuits.
In Ohio, the state government has taken additional steps to support these students. Recognizing the value of AP exams in advancing educational opportunities, the state contributes $33 per exam for those who qualify for the College Board's fee reduction. This means that the students themselves only pay a small amount, or possibly nothing at all, depending on the total cost of the exam.
This financial assistance is crucial as it removes economic obstacles that may hinder a student's ability to take AP exams. By reducing the financial burden, disadvantaged students in Ohio are empowered to pursue advanced academic challenges and gain valuable credits that can give them a head start in their college education.
While Ohio has demonstrated its commitment to supporting low-income students, there have been calls for more widespread adoption of such policies. Some sources advocate for making AP exams free for low-income students across the nation, ensuring that financial status does not limit access to educational opportunities. This proposal underscores the importance of providing equal chances for all students to excel and pursue their academic goals.
In conclusion, the state of Ohio's contribution of $33 per AP exam for students who qualify for the College Board fee reduction is a significant step towards promoting educational equity. By subsidizing the cost of these exams, Ohio is helping low-income students access the academic benefits of AP programs, fostering a more inclusive and opportunity-rich environment for its youth.
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The proposal to make AP exams free for low-income students in Ohio
The state of Ohio is considering a proposal to make Advanced Placement (AP) exams free for low-income students. AP exams are widely respected for their rigorous academic content and can be critical for building competitive college applications. They also offer students the chance to earn college credits while still in high school.
Currently, AP exams cost around $100 per test, and while the College Board does offer a $37 fee reduction for students with significant financial need, the cost may still be a burden for low-income families. In the past, the federal government provided additional support to defray exam fees for low-income students, but this program was eliminated in 2016. For the 2017-18 school year, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) stepped in to cover most of the testing costs for low-income students, but it is unclear if this assistance will continue in the future.
The proposal, titled "Fulfilling the Readiness Promise: Twenty-five education policy ideas for Ohio," suggests that the state allocate $5 million per year to fund a cost-reimbursement program for AP exam fees for low-income students. This amount should cover the full cost of the exams after any test providers' discounts are applied. By covering these costs, the state would ensure that all students have the opportunity to take advantage of the benefits of AP programs, regardless of their family income.
This proposal is part of a broader effort to tackle Ohio's toughest education challenges and improve access to advanced academic opportunities for low-income students. It recognizes that assessment fees should not be a barrier preventing low-income students from pursuing industry credentials that could open up career opportunities. While this proposal specifically focuses on AP exams, it is worth noting that several of Ohio's industry credentialing programs also require students to pass standardized assessments that carry testing fees.
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Frequently asked questions
Low-income students in Ohio have to pay for AP testing, but they may be eligible for a $37 College Board fee reduction per AP exam.
Talk to your AP coordinator to find out what to do. It is best to indicate the fee reduction status for each student by the time you submit your exam order.
Districts could still use their federal dollars to provide help, but they are not required to do so. Check with your AP coordinator to find out what support may be available to you.
AP exams cost about $100 per test.
June 15, 2025, is the postmark deadline for payment due to the College Board.






























