Ability to Benefit Exam Requirements


State Education Department CEO Memo 07-03

In September 2007, the Board of Regents implemented the ability to benefit (ATB) provision in Section 145-2.15 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education and identified the ATB assessments recognized by the Regents to measure the student's ability to benefit from postsecondary studies for use in establishing eligibility for TAP and other State financial aid.

For more information view: CEO memorandum and the regulation

Deadlines

For academic year 2007-08, up to and including the spring 2008 term, students may take an approved ATB exam up to the last day of the term. This extension of the original time table accommodates the Spring 2008 restrictions limiting students to one of four ATB exams approved by the NYS Board of Regents.

The State Education Department and HESC expect a student’s high school diploma status to be determined at the time of admission. If the ATB is required for TAP eligibility, the student should be notified and a test should be scheduled as soon as possible.

Beginning with the summer term of academic year 2008-09, students must take and pass one of the four approved exams within the institution's drop/add period or within 30 days of the first day of classes whichever is earlier to be eligible for a State award.


Exceptional Circumstances

In some exceptional circumstances, a student may be allowed to take and pass an ATB exam within 30 days of the drop/add period or 60 days from the first day of class, whichever is earlier. This exception may be applied only in those rare cases where a school is unable to identify or locate the student until later in the term. All efforts should be made to ensure students are never disadvantaged due to administrative procedures at their schools.


Student Notification

Students must be notified in writing, prior to the beginning of classes, of their potential liability if they fail to pass the ATB exam and are, therefore, ineligible for TAP.

Please direct questions about this bulletin to Operational Services at (518) 474-3552 or tappolicy@hesc.org