3 Reasons Why AP Exam Subsidies Matter

In high school, I absolutely dreaded asking my parents for money for school. Whether it was for fees to join the band, an after-school club, a new sport I wanted to try, or even AP® Exam fees, I was always conscious of the cost. With a twin brother, every expense was doubled for my parents.  

My parents would never say no; they knew the importance of education no matter the price. But for families like mine, every dollar counts, and high school came with a lot of costs. As a first-generation student and a son of immigrants, I wanted to take as many AP classes as possible because I hoped it would lead to more opportunities in college and career. The opportunities I gained from these classes paid dividends: helping me earn college credit and preparing me to be successful in college-level coursework. But this was only possible because I was provided with subsidies that made paying for AP Exams manageable for my family.  

My story isn’t unique. In fact, this is the story for more students now than ever. Nationally, College Board has seen an acceleration of low-income students participating in AP Exams. Since 2015, participation in AP Exams by students identified as low income has increased by 56%. In 2025, 845,000 low-income students sat for an AP Exam, compared to 540,000 in 2015.

As a mission-driven organization, College Board believes that a student’s income should not determine whether they are able to obtain college credit. Our mission is to clear a path for students to own their future—including financially. For the greater part of the last decade, College Board has been committed to reducing the financial burden for students to sit for an AP Exam.  

A large part of this effort has been the organization’s priority to partner with states to provide subsidies for low-income students. Each year, College Board talks with state lawmakers about how they can help make postsecondary exams like AP Exams more affordable for students, often by exploring options like state funding or subsidies. In 2025, 34 states (plus D.C.) provided a subsidy for low-income exams. For details on fee assistance check out State AP Exam Fee Assistance.

The commitment to this effort is only growing. This year, College Board spoke with districts from around the country, including California, Texas, and Illinois, to understand the value and impact of the organization’s work. Each of these states structure their funding support differently, with some directly allocating funds for subsidies and others giving latitude to districts to decide whether they will utilize the funds for subsidies. Below are some insights on why exam subsidies matter to districts, states, and students.  

1. Subsidies Remove Barriers for Students  

Students who enroll and sit for an AP Exam receive incredible value for their experience, and districts shared that widely accepted college credit is especially important. Over the last decade, over 5,000 new institutional credit-related policies have been added by colleges and universities across the country. Students can receive credit whether they decide to enroll in their in-state college or move across the country to start their academic journey.

College credit is not the only benefit students receive through AP. Even though an AP score of 3 or higher is often required by institutions for credit, simply sitting for an AP Exam is still beneficial. The research team at College Board found that AP students who earn a score of 1 or 2 have better college outcomes than similar college students who did not take an AP Exam. AP provides an opportunity for students to engage in relevant rigorous courses and a chance to experience a high-stakes exam, especially when many popular careers require an exam.

While the value of AP is clear, the costs can be high. Students often take multiple AP Exams that leads to fees amounting to hundreds of dollars. And in families like mine that have multiple children sitting for exams, costs can become a huge burden. For example, Austin ISD shared that without the state subsidy, AP participation would drop drastically in their district. The subsidies that states provide open the door for students to obtain college credit at a fraction of the cost and sometimes at no cost, increasing access to advanced coursework.  

2. Subsidies Matter for Districts  

It’s no secret that public school districts are often faced with tight annual budgets. With the expiration of the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) this year, districts are facing even more budget constraints. Competing factors like declining enrollment, rising staff costs, and reduced federal funding contribute to budget pressures. This means districts are tasked with the impossible: how to prioritize programs, services, and staff in their schools. In conversations with districts, we found a common thread: AP is important, and subsidies are important. For districts, when they are deciding on which programs to keep, the benefits that AP provides make it an easy choice for districts. El Paso ISD put it this way: “For us, exam funding is important. AP college credit is a big sell, especially as we have seen more students enrolling and succeeding in the past years.”

However, to obtain college credit, students must sit for an AP Exam—an exam that can cost up to $53 after College Board’s price reduction if the state does not provide a subsidy. In the 15 states that do not provide subsidies, some districts will go above and beyond to cover exams for eligible students through their own district spending. The same is true for districts in states that partially cover exam fees.  

But these funds are limited and decreasing. For many districts, these state subsidies (even if they do not fully cover exams) allow districts to consider additional funding for students’ exams. Without subsidies, districts would be looking at a budget line for exams that is double or three times as large. Subsidies from the state means one less thing the district must worry about in their budget spending. 

3. States Benefit from AP Subsidies  

As states consider how to develop and invest in the new generation of their state workforce, AP provides a clear return for a state’s investment in education. Our research shows that students who enroll in AP courses are more likely to enroll in and complete a postsecondary degree. Recently, College Board announced the addition of AP Career Kickstart courses. These courses are not only designed to lead to college credit but also employer-endorsed credentials in in-demand industries. Specifically, AP Cybersecurity and AP Business with Personal Finance are set to launch and be widely available in the fall of 2026. Across the country, it is estimated that there are 572,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs, yet less than 4% of high school students have access to cybersecurity training in their school. For states, AP provides a roadmap to develop homegrown talent that will fill their specific workforce needs. Antelope Valley USD in California points out that investing in AP removes barriers to help students find their way within these pathways by helping them not only develop hard skills but also the soft skills that come from participating in a high rigor course.  

AP Career Kickstart partners with national organizations to provide states and students with the most compelling, comprehensive, and market-tested courses to be competitive in today’s job market. This past February, College Board partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to ensure these courses reflect the needs of the current workforce. Additionally, just this month, College Board received over 300 letters of support from employers, schools, colleges, and intermediaries, with over two-thirds being from employers. This is a concerted effort to effectively engage with all players in the ecosystem, including education institutions and industry employers.  

What Next: Amplifying AP Stories to Increase Access

College Board is changing the invitation for AP. Through our new career courses, more students than ever can take a course that puts them on a path to their future careers.  

College Board is committed to removing barriers for students to receive postsecondary education. This work would not be possible without the support from partners across the country, including district administrators, teachers, alumni, and especially students themselves. These advocates often show up to AP Days at the Capitol in their respective states to share their AP stories and demonstrate the importance of increased AP access through exam subsidies.  

The need for these subsidies is greater than ever. We invite all those interested in amplifying the voices of students and educators by sharing authentic stories that inspire understanding to broaden access, to join us. Check out how to get involved with the Educator Ambassadors team here.