Kentucky AP Exam Fee Assistance

Funding for Kentucky Schools for May 2027 AP Exams

To expand opportunities and access, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) will fully fund AP Exams for fee-reduced public school students living in Kentucky. Additionally, KDE fully funds AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, AP Cybersecurity, and AP Networking Exams for all Kentucky public school students, regardless of fee reduction status, through its Computer Science and Information Technology Academy. 

Fee-Reduced Students

“Fee-reduced students” qualify for the College Board fee reduction of $37 per exam. The State of Kentucky will also provide $53 per AP Exam. This brings the total exam fee for qualifying students down to $0. Schools are expected to forgo their $9 rebate for these students.  

Schools and districts that receive Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or Title 1 funds must still determine each student's eligibility using the criteria outlined on the AP Exam Fee Reductions page. Students in CEP and Title 1 schools and districts aren’t automatically eligible for AP Exam fee reductions.

Standard-Fee Students

“Standard-fee students” don’t qualify for the College Board fee reduction. Beginning with the 2027 exam administration, the State of Kentucky no longer funds standard-fee AP Exams, except for AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, AP Cybersecurity, and AP Networking, which remain fully funded through KDE's Computer Science and Information Technology Academy.

AP Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Networking Exam Funding

The KDE’s Computer Science and Information Technology Academy will pay the full fee for all AP Computer Science Principles, AP Computer Science A, AP Cybersecurity, and AP Networking Exams. 

Note: It remains a school-level decision whether to keep or forgo the $9-per-exam school rebate from standard-fee students. For more information on rebate policy and procedures, please see State AP Exam Fee Assistance. 

Fees for Kentucky Public School Students

Steps for AP Coordinators

Before the Exams

• For your invoice to accurately reflect any fee reductions, the AP coordinator must indicate the fee reduction status for each eligible student in AP Registration and Ordering.
  • For each student who is eligible for the College Board fee reduction, check the Reduced Fee box next to their name in the student roster.
  • For students who aren't eligible for the fee reduction, no action is needed.
• Fee reduction status is indicated only once per student, not for each exam.
• If possible, indicate each student’s status by the time you submit your exam order. This ensures you have time to plan for and collect the appropriate exam fees.
  • However, if you need more time to verify this information, the deadline to indicate students' fee reduction status in AP Registration and Ordering is April 30, 2027 (11:59 p.m. ET).

After the Exams

• College Board will bill the KDE directly for its share of qualifying students' AP Exam fees. AP coordinators don’t need to submit a copy of their invoice to the KDE.
• Schools that receive AP Exam fee funding from the KDE must keep a list of students who received fee reductions (including which exams each student took) on file at their school in case the KDE needs to verify the validity of a school's request for fee reductions.
• Your invoice will be automatically generated and emailed to you after late-testing administration ends. At that point, you can also access and print your invoice through AP Registration and Ordering.
• June 15, 2027, is the postmark deadline for payment due to College Board.

For More Information

Visit the KDE’s website or contact Michelle Sircy, Ed.D., program coordinator for comprehensive school counseling, Office of Teaching and Learning, Kentucky Department of Education.