A student seeking State financial aid (including TAP) for the first must pass a federally approved ATB test identified by the Board of Regents if the student does not possess a U.S. high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. (Section 661 of the Education Law, as amended by Chapter 57 of the Laws of 2007).
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.
- 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 Ability to Benefit (ATB) requirement. However, students who fell into this category were encouraged to apply.
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 will have to file the required application through a process overseen by SED's High School Equivalency (HSE) Office. Students must 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.
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.