Advanced Coursework

STEM Advanced Placement (AP) Access Expansion Opportunity

In September 2020 DESE was awarded a five-year grant totaling $9,127,691 from the U.S. Education Department (ED), through the Expanding Access to Well-Rounded Courses Demonstration Grants Program. With this funding, and via a partnership with VHS Learning, we are establishing the STEM Advanced Placement Access Expansion Opportunity (SAPAO). SAPAO is a statewide initiative to increase the capacity of schools to offer advanced coursework that will equip students with the skills and competencies they need to pursue postsecondary education and, ultimately, go on to STEM professions vital to the Massachusetts economy.

At the heart of this project is a commitment to generate greater equity in STEM AP course-taking, which DESE prioritized by narrowing participation to schools with above average rates of Black, Latino, and/or Economically Disadvantaged student enrollment. Through the grant, DESE also intends to serve schools in which low numbers of students engage in STEM AP courses despite demonstrating the skills to participate in this advanced coursework. The highest priority schools are those DESE envisions using the statewide virtual platform to drive their long-term strategy to increase capacity to offer STEM AP courses. For more information, please contact Jennifer Gwatkin .

Massachusetts State Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Fee Subsidy and International Baccalaureate (IB) Program 2024-2025

Exam fee subsidy available for low-income Massachusetts public school students taking AP and IB exams in May 2025.

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has committed up to $1,252,373 for AP and IB exam fee subsidies in all subjects for all low-income public-school students for SY 2024-2025. Late or cancellation fees are not covered by this program.

Note: This subsidy does not apply to low-income students participating in virtual STEM AP courses through the STEM AP Access Expansion Opportunity (SAPAO) grant, as the exam fees are already fully covered through that grant.

The 2024-2025 Breakdown of the AP Exam fee for low-income eligible students:

The 2024-2025 Fee Breakdown for AP Seminar Exams and AP Research Exams for eligible students:

Steps You Need to Take to Apply for the above MA State AP Exam Fee Subsidy

For AP Subsidy

1. Confirm that the students are enrolled in the Advanced Placement courses for which they are taking the exams and determine students' low-income eligibility using the same criteria as College Board. (Note: This subsidy does not apply to low-income students participating in virtual STEM AP courses through the STEM AP Access Expansion Opportunity (SAPAO) grant, as the exam fees are already fully covered through that grant.)

2. High schools are required to maintain documentation with supporting evidence of student eligibility for up to 5 years. Please do not send this information to DESE. The state may conduct on-site reviews of the files for verifying student eligibility. High schools must ensure that all information documenting student eligibility for the AP exam fee subsidy remains confidential.

3. Participating in Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) does not automatically qualify all students in the school or district for state low-income AP exam fee subsidy. We go by the College Board eligibility criteria and procedures as outlined in College Board AP Exam Fee Reductions. Read the section on Fee Reduction Eligibility Criteria.

4. Follow the Advanced Placement (AP) invoicing process which remains the same as outlined by College Board.

For IB Fee Subsidy

1. Confirm that the students are enrolled in the International Baccalaureate courses for which they are taking the exams and determine students' low-income eligibility using the same criteria as College Board.

2. High schools are required to maintain documentation with supporting evidence of student eligibility for up to 5 years. Please do not send this information to DESE. The state may conduct on-site reviews of the files for verifying student eligibility. High schools must ensure that all information documenting student eligibility for the IB exam fee subsidy remains confidential.

3. Participating in Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) does not automatically qualify all students in the school or district for state low-income IB exam fee subsidy. We go by the College Board eligibility criteria outlined in College Board AP Exam Fee Reductions.

4. Complete Form A and Form B

5. Email completed forms to CCTE@mass.gov no later than May 23, 2025.

Note: Reimbursement will be honored until allocated funds run out; incorrect or incomplete applications will not be processed.

Last Updated: October 2, 2024