Senior year of high school is a busy and exciting time for most graduating students. However, it is also a very expensive time, and can seem overwhelming or even impossible for low-income students, particularly high-achieving ones that expect to take multiple AP exams, standardized tests, and submit applications to several colleges.<\/p>\r\n
Financial experts estimate that senior year costs including senior year class activities and fees can run between $5,000-$10,000 depending on the school. Although it might be disappointing, social activities are optional, but foregoing exams and limiting college applications can have a significant impact on the future. Currently, parents can expect to pay $94 per AP exam, SAT and ACT exams cost about $65 each, and college applications can range between $30-$100 each, depending on the school.<\/p>\r\n
For low-income families are is assistance available for these expenses.<\/p>\r\n
Income-eligible students can receive a fee waiver to take the SAT or SAT Subject Tests for free and get other benefits to apply to college. An approved waiver grants students access to2 free SATs, 6 free SAT Subject Tests, and 2 free Question-and-Answer Service (QAS) or Student Answer Service (SAS) reports. They will also send unlimited score reports to universities to which the student will apply. Qualification for SAT fee waivers makes a student eligible to receive college application fee waivers.<\/p>\r\n
ACT waivers cover 2 ACT exams and give students access to test prep materials including Kaplan Online Test prep.<\/p>\r\n
Eligible students are those that qualify for free\/reduced lunch or federal assistance programs, whose family income falls within the USDA income eligibility guidelines, students who are a ward of the state, or students who are orphaned.<\/p>\r\n
Waivers are also available to homeschooled students provided that can provide qualifying income information.<\/p>\r\n
The College Board provides a $41 fee reduction per exam for students with financial need, resulting in a cost of $53 per exam. Their eligibility requirements are similar to SAT\r\nexam waivers, except they include homeless or migrant students, students in foster care or HeadStart, or students on Indian Reservations.\r\n<\/p>\r\n
Students that qualify for SAT waivers will automatically qualify for college applications waivers. Waivers must be used at one of 2,000 participating colleges, and are limited to 4 waivers per student. For students that are in need of more than 4 fee waivers, there are sometimes other federal programs to assist with fees, and in many cases, colleges can directly provide waivers to students.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Senior year of high school is a busy and exciting time for most graduating students. However, it is also a very expensive time, and can seem overwhelming or even impossible for low-income students, particularly high-achieving ones that expect to take multiple AP exams, standardized tests, and submit applications to several colleges. Financial experts estimate that … <\/p>\n