Massachusetts State Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Fee Subsidy and International Baccalaureate (IB) Program 2020-2021
Exam fee subsidy available for low-income students from eligible districts taking AP Exam and IB exams in May 2021 Exams
Addendum March 22, 2021: Low-income AP exam fee subsidy program expanded to include STEM and ELA subjects only for all MA Public schools. Cohort II A for instructions for districts not in district list and not Mass Insight-served school.
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has committed up to $350,000 to provide AP and IB exam fee subsidies for low-income public school students only in districts that have one or more schools identified as requiring assistance (EXCEPT those that qualify due to low participation only) in the state's accountability system. This and additional avenues of subsidizing low-income student exam fees for all districts is highlighted in this Memo.
The Advanced Placement (AP) invoicing process remains the same as outlined by College Board.
The 2021 Breakdown of the AP Exam fee for eligible students:
| Cost Component | Amount Per Exam |
|---|
| Student or School/District Contribution | $15 |
| Massachusetts State Subsidy | $38 |
| College Board Fee Reduction | $33 |
| College Board Exam Rebate (Waived for Students from Low-Income families) | $9 |
| Total Exam Fee | $95 |
The 2021 Fee Breakdown for AP Seminar Exams and AP Research Exams for eligible students:
| Cost Component | Amount Per Exam |
|---|
| Student or School/District Contribution | $15 |
| Massachusetts State Subsidy | $86 |
| College Board Fee Reduction | $33 |
| College Board Exam Rebate (Waived for Students from Low-Income families) | $9 |
| Total Exam Fee | $143 |
Steps You Need to Take to Apply for the above MA State AP Exam Fee Subsidy
For AP Subsidy
Cohort I (Communicate with College Board Directly):
If your school is in this district list (districts that have one or more schools identified as requiring assistance (except those that qualify due to low participation only) in the state's accountability system and not receiving services through Mass Insight (Mi):
Confirm that the students are enrolled in the Advanced Placement courses that they are taking the exams in, and determine students' low-income eligibility using the same criteria as College Board.
High schools are required to maintain secure files of the Form 
and all supporting documents of student eligibility for up to 5 years. The state program coordinator may conduct on-site reviews of the files for verifying student eligibility. High schools must ensure that all information documenting student eligibility for the AP exam fee subsidy remain confidential.
After the administration of the AP exams, the College Board will invoice your school /district applying a credit of $38/ AP exam and STEM exam. Please complete the state copy of the invoice from the College Board and email to testfeesubsidy@doe.mass.edu with College Board Invoice Copy in the subject line.
Cohort II (Communicate with Mass Insight Directly):
If your school is in the district list (districts that have one or more schools identified as requiring assistance (except those that qualify due to low participation only) in the state's accountability system and receiving services through Mass Insight (Mi):
Confirm that the students are enrolled in the Advanced Placement course they are taking the exams in, and determine students' low-income eligibility using the same criteria as College Board.
Contact: Wesley Chin
Cohort IIA [For Spring 2021 Exams]:
If your school is not on the district list and is not a Mass Insight-served school:
Confirm that the students are enrolled in the Advanced Placement STEM and /ELA course(s) they are taking the exams in, and determine students' low-income eligibility using the same criteria as College Board.
Fill in the Mass Insight online form:
Mass Insight will contact you with the reimbursement
All Cohort II and Cohort IIA schools will communicate with Mass Insight regarding the reimbursement.
Note: only STEM and ELA exam fees for low-income students will be subsidized for Cohort IIA.
High schools are required to maintain secure files of the Form and all supporting documents of student eligibility for up to 5 years. The state program coordinator may conduct on-site reviews of the files for verifying student eligibility. High schools must ensure that all information documenting student eligibility for the AP exam fee subsidy remain confidential.
For IB Fee Subsidy
Cohort III:
If your school is in the district list of qualifying districts:
Confirm that the students are enrolled in the International Baccalaureate (IB) course that they are taking the exams in, and determine students' low-income eligibility using the same criteria as College Board.
Contact: Meto Raha
High schools are required to maintain secure files of the Form and all supporting documents of student eligibility for up to 5 years. The state program coordinator may conduct on-site reviews of the files for verifying student eligibility. High schools must ensure that all information documenting student eligibility for the AP exam fee subsidy remain confidential.
If your districts is identified as requiring assistance in the state's accountability system* but not listed or you have additional questions, please contact Meto Raha .
*Note: districts requiring assistance for low participation only Do Not qualify.
Income Eligibility Guidelines
Deadline: Last date for requesting low-income eligible AP and IB exam fee subsidy is May 15, 2021.
Last Updated: March 29, 2021