What is Ability to Benefit?

Ability to Benefit is a federal provision enacted by the Higher Education Act (HEA) that allows students without a high school diploma or high school equivalency to gain access to federal financial aid to “obtain a college or career school education” by proving the ability-to-benefit from one of the AtB Alternatives. 

Is There a Resource Page for Ability to Benefit Information?

YES, the National College Transitions Network website.  This resource page is for states and institutions looking to learn more about the Ability to Benefit (ATB) provision of the Higher Education Act. If you have a resource you’d like to suggest, email Shirley Doan at shirley_doan@worlded.org. 

https://www.collegetransition.org/career-pathways/featured-projects/ability-to-benefit/resource-page/

What Federal Guidance is There for Ability to Benefit? 

Here are two Dear Colleague Letters, from the  Department of Education Office and Technical Reference Guide. 

• GEN-15-09- Summary: This letter clarifies changes made by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 to the Title IV eligibility of students who are not high school graduates.

• GEN-16-09-Summary: This letter clarifies changes made by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 to the definition of an eligible career pathway program and Federal Pell Grant award amounts for students enrolled in those programs.

• 2022-2023 Federal Student Aid Handbook : Complete a search (Control F)  and enter ATB to locate information quickly. 

• COMMON ORIGINATION AND DISBURSEMENT 2023 − 2024 technical reference : Complete a search (Control F) and enter ATB to locate information quickly. 

Has There Been an Analysis Completed on the Usage of AtB?

YES, in 2022, the Department of Education (DOE) completed an analysis from 2016-2021. Click here to review. 

https://www2.ed.gov/policy/highered/reg/hearulemaking/2021/analysisofatbusage.pdf

What Information is Available About Career Pathway Development? 

There are many resources to gain access to career pathway information and development. Here are a few.

• Career Pathway Joint Letter

• Career Pathway Toolkit

Is There a List of Approved Tests for the AtB-Approved Test Alternative?

Yes, the Federal Registry list approved tests and passing scores for AtB. 

List of Student Support Services

Washington State I-Best Models 

https://www.sbctc.edu/colleges-staff/programs-services/i-best/

TWC AEL Letter 02-16, Change 1: Implementing the Integrated Education and Training Service Approach—Update 

https://www.twc.texas.gov/files/policy_letters/ael02-16ch1.pdf

What Funding Can Support the AtB Semester Credit Hour (SCH) Option?

WIOA Title II Funding 

WIOA Title I Funding

Carl Perkins 

Texas Public Educational Grant Program (TPEG)

What are the Financial Aid Eligibility Criteria?

• be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen;

• have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau);

• be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;

• be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds;

• maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school;

• sign the certification statement on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form stating that you’re not in default on a federal student loan, you do not owe money on a federal student grant, and you’ll only use federal student aid for educational purposes; and

• show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education.

https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/eligibility

https://fsapartners.ed.gov/knowledge-center/fsa-handbook/2022-2023/vol1/ch1-school-determined-requirements