Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) Testing Requirements for State Financial Aid
Important Update (6/11/2020)The NYS Board of Regents recently approved the following emergency amendment to Section 145-2.15(e)(1) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education permitting the remote administration and proctoring of the Ability-to-Benefit (ATB) tests approved by the Regents for purposes of eligibility for New York State student financial aid: A new subparagraph (iv) is added to read as follows: (iv) where testing centers and institutions are unable to administer and proctor the test at such locations identified in subparagraphs (i), (ii), or (iii) of this subdivision due to the State of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to an Executive Order for the COVID-19 crisis the test may be administered and proctored remotely provided such remote administration and proctoring is in accordance with federal requirements. This allowance is in effect as long as federal guidance allows it and the NYS emergency exists. For a full list of approved ATB tests in NYS, please see the list provided below. |
A student seeking State financial aid (including TAP) for the first time, beginning with the 2007-08 academic year, 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)
Note: to learn more about acceptable U.S. High School diplomas and their equivalents, please see our ATB questions and answers.
The purpose of this and related ATB requirements is to ensure the effective use of financial aid funds and to help align admission requirements, level of curricula, and academic support.
Required Institutional Statement on ATB Tests
As part of the amended ATB requirements, all degree-granting and non-degree public vocational institutions must submit the Statement on Ability-to-Benefit Tests (NYSED ATB Form 1) by July 1, of each year, to identify the following:
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the approved ATB tests the institution will use for students without U.S. high school diplomas or the equivalent and who wish to qualify for State student aid;
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minimum passing scores on those tests, consistent with admissions criteria, curricula and academic support; and
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how the institution will administer the tests.
The following tests have been approved by the Regents for ATB Purposes:
- ACCUPLACER Computer-adaptive tests and COMPANION ACCUPLACER, Forms J and K: Reading Test, Writing Test, and Arithmetic Test
Passing scores: Reading Test (233), Writing Test (235), Arithmetic Test (230)
Test publisher contact information: The College Board, 250 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10281. Contact: ACCUPLACER Program. Telephone: (800) 607-5223. Email: accuplacer@collegeboard.org.
- Combined English Language Skills Assessment* (CELSA), Forms 1 and 2 Effective Date: November 1, 2002
Passing scores: CELSA Form 1 (97), CELSA Form 2 (97)
Test publisher contact information: Association of Classroom Teacher Testers (ACCT), 1187 Coast Village Road, Suite 1, #378, Montecito, CA 93108. Contact: Telephone: (805) 965-5704. Fax: (805) 965-5807. Email: actt@cappassociates.com.
* Note: As provided in 34 CFR 668.153(a)(2), the CELSA test is approved as the additional ATB English language proficiency test that must be taken by students whose native language is not English and who are not fluent in English if the academic program includes an ESL component.
Annual Certification
Beginning in 2011, each institution that offers ATB tests to qualify students for financial aid will certify annually, by July 1, that its procedures meet the requirements of Section 145-2.15 of Commissioner’s Regulations, which implements the amended ATB requirements.
Questions and Answers
Please review our ATB questions and answers for additional guidance.
