Ability to Benefit

The Ability to Benefit (ATB) test is a federal financial aid program that allows students without a high school diploma from the United States to qualify for financial aid if they can prove they can benefit from a college education. Use the information below to help you get started and learn more about if this is the right fit for you. The exam will be conducted in person with a proctor in Room 150 Hunter North Building. Be sure to review the Testing Rules.

Who Takes the ATB Test

The New York State ATB regulation applies to students who are first-time recipients of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) starting from the 2006–2007 academic year. You will need to fulfill the ATB requirement if you do not have: 

  • A U.S. High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Diploma (e.g., TASC/GED). 
  • A Home-School letter from your school district superintendent. 
  • A previous accredited college degree. 
  • 24 earned college credits in core courses (as required by the NY State Education Department). 
Apply to Earn 24 College Credits

How to Meet the ATB Requirement

Take the ATB test and achieve the following minimum scores:

Reading: 233
Arithmetic: 230
Writing: 235

Register for ATB Test

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