College Credit by Examination and Development Fund
Students with advanced learning opportunities provided by college credit by examination classes have greater academic and professional outcomes. Such programs lead to an increase in the number of college graduates and create a more diverse, knowledgeable, and innovative workforce in Arizona. To provide greater access to higher learning opportunities, especially in underserved schools and among underserved students, the College Credit by Examination Development Fund provides full test fee waivers for eligible students.
Students who attend schools in which fifty percent or more of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunches (FRPL) may have registration fees guaranteed for eligible advanced-learning exams. Students who themselves qualify for FRPL at schools that do not meet the FRPL threshold may also receive registration fee guarantees if funding allows. Eligible students will have registration expenses covered for associated qualifying Advanced Placement® (AP), International Baccalaureate® (IB), and Cambridge Assessment International Education® (CIE) exams.
The Cambridge Assessment International Education® program (CIE), currently offers A and AS high school levels of curriculum programs. Students may take A or AS Level exams, for which students may also earn college credit, advanced placement, or both at many colleges and universities.
To locate a school authorized to offer Cambridge Assessment International Education® programs, visit the Find a Cambridge School searchable site by city, hosted by Cambridge Assessment International Education.
Schools offering CIE courses may apply for reimbursement of registration fees for students taking qualified exams.
AP® are programs that allow motivated and prepared students the opportunity to pursue college-level studies (through more than 30 college-level courses) while still in high school. Students who take AP® end-of-course exams and earn a minimum score of 3 on a scale of 1-5 may earn college credit, advanced placement, or both at most colleges and universities.
You can identify the AP® courses a high school is currently authorized to teach by visiting the searchable AP® Course Ledger site, hosted by the College Board.
The International Baccalaureate®, or IB® program, offers three levels of curriculum programs: The Diploma Programme (high school level), Middle Years Programme (middle school), and the Primary Years Programme (elementary school). Students taking the Diploma Programme may also take IB® exams, for which students may earn college credit at many colleges and universities.
You may locate a school authorized to offer IB® programmes by visiting the Find an IB World School searchable site, hosted by the International Baccalaureate® Organization.
Schools offering IB courses may apply for reimbursement of registration fees for students taking qualified exams.
What other funding sources are available to offset costs of college credit by examination exam fees?
Title IV, Part A funds may also be used by schools and districts to help "promot(e) access to accelerated learning opportunities including Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, dual or concurrent enrollment programs and early college high schools*"
Examples of support may include:
- Providing funding to cover part or all of the cost of AP Exam fees for students in all schools (not just Title I schools)
- Increasing student access to, and improving student achievement in, postsecondary level instruction and exams, including AP, IB, CIE.
- Funding specific college credit by examination courses/exams
*Reference: Non-Regulatory Guidance, Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grant
Please visit the ADE Title IV-A website for more information.
The Arizona Department of Education has received federal grant funds from the U.S. Department of Education to support low-income students (those students eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program) in Arizona public schools to take Cambridge International Examination (CIE®) Diploma Programme exams.
