AtB has been utilized since 1991 with different iterations. A significant iteration was the Department of Education's adoption of the WIOA career pathway definition in 2016, creating opportunities for better alignment and collaboration among agencies. (Read the Career Pathways Joint Letter)

The AtB financial aid provision has three alternative options for students to gain access to aid. 

1. State Approved Test

2. State Defined Process

3. Six-Semster Credit Hour (SCH)

The most utilized alternative has been the 6-SCH option in public and non-profit institutions; for-profit institutions' utilization has been through the state-approved test option. In 2020, the Department of Education began approving the AtB state-defined process. Texas has not submitted a state process yet. 

In March of 2022, the Department of Education (DOE) released a startling AtB analysis indicating utilization of AtB is decreasing in public and non-profit institutions. Why? Can Community Colleges, in tandem with Adult Education programs, urgently collaborate and utilize the AtB federal aid provision to create access to postsecondary education career pathways? 

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