Ability to Benefit FAQ

• For the latest information on the approved Ability-to-Benefit tests, please visit the NYS Board of Regents website.

• Yes, students who have earned 24 credits in the core classes required by SED are eligible for a GED. Learn more.

For historical purposes HESC is providing all related guidance from SED as many financial aid administrators may need clarification:

• Prior to January 2015, if the student had earned the SED-required 24 core credits, HESC advised that the student did not have to obtain a High School Equivalency Diploma (GED) to fulfill the secondary education requirement. Sstudents who fell into this category were encouraged to apply for State financial aid programs.
• On January 21, 2015, SED issued a memorandum providing additional guidance in relation to the high school equivalency requirements. A student without a valid U.S. high school diploma must hold a high school equivalency diploma or receive a passing score on a federally approved ability to-benefit test. Students who have earned the required 24 credits can receive the NYS High School Equivalency Diploma by providing satisfactory evidence to SED that they have successfully completed the required 24 credits. The student had to file the required application through a process overseen by SED's High School Equivalency (HSE) Office. Students were required to receive a New York State High School Equivalency Diploma by the first day of classes for a particular term to be certified as eligible for an award for that term.
• On December 2016 SED released a memo clarifying on the 24 credit requirement which indicates the 24 credits in the core course alone meet secondary education requirement without the need for the student to obtain the high school equivalency diploma. Students should be advised that the HSE may be needed for conferral of degree requirements.

“As established by CEO 02-06, Section 100.7 of the Commissioner’s Regulations provides that a student can receive a high school equivalency diploma (GED) when the student has completed 24 college credits as a recognized candidate for a degree at an approved institution. If a student never completed high school or is otherwise unable to document high school completion, a college can admit a student, and once that student has completed 24 college credits as the equivalent of having the GED, he/she is eligible for TAP, provided the credits satisfy the appropriate course distribution requirements specified in section 100.7 of the Regulations as amended in 1999. (The required distribution is 6

credits of English, 3 credits of math, 3 credits of natural science, 3 credits of social science, 3 credits of humanities, and 6 credits applicable to the student's program.)”

SED's contact information:

New York State Education Department
High School Equivalency (HSE) Office
P.O. Box 7348
Albany, NY 12224-0348
(518) 474-5906

• The Student Status Listing (Full and Abbreviated), as well as the rosters and individual student records, list the student's first year of state aid.

• Schools will need to follow the specific requirements of the ATB exam they are using.
• A student must take a retest within the add/drop period for a particular term to be certified as eligible for an award for that term.

• An ATB test must be passed if a student does not have a high school diploma or GED from within the United States.

• Yes. A home-schooled student is eligible for state aid if they take and pass an approved ATB test or the GED test. 

• Yes. A student must pass an ATB test as IEP diplomas are not equivalent to a local or Regents diploma.