Illinois gets $1.7 million in federal grants for AP tests

Illinois high school students from low-income families will be able to take Advanced Placement tests for college credit on the state's tab.

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Illinois $1,787,866 in Advanced Placement grants to boost college- and career-readiness for underserved students. Illinois is among 41 states and Washington, D.C., that received a total of $28.4 million to help defray costs for students from low-income families taking AP tests.

"The cost of a test should never prevent students from taking their first step toward higher education through Advanced Placement courses," said James Cole Jr., U.S. Department of Education general counsel delegated the duties of deputy secretary.

AP tests are administered by the College Board, the International Baccalaureate Organization and Cambridge International Examinations.

States received funding based on estimates of the numbers of tests that would be taken by students from low-income families. From 2015 to 2016, the number of tests covered by the Advanced Placement Test Fee program increased from 831,913 to 862,204 - a nearly 4 percent increase.

Based on the anticipated number of tests to be taken, the grants are expected to cover all but $15 of the cost of each AP test taken by low-income students nationwide. States may opt to require students to pay a portion of the costs.

For more information on the program, visit ed.gov.