Ability to Benefit Call for Questions |
This survey is designed to capture questions from the field about using Pell's Ability to Benefit provision to help students without a high school credential access federal financial aid. JFF will analyze and compile the top questions and bring the to the Department of Education for further guidance.
Background:
In December 2014, Congress partially restored the Ability to Benefit (ATB) provision of the Higher Education Act. This change now allows students who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent, but who are enrolled in eligible Career Pathways programs, to be determined eligible for federal financial aid (Pell grants). To qualify, students only need to pass an approved test or successfully complete six hours of college credit.
On May 22 of this year, the Department issued guidance on this restoration -- through a letter published on ED’s IFAP website — providing clarification on several important points, including: identification of the methods approved by the Secretary of Education for determining ATB eligibility; clarification regarding the retroactive implementation of the reinstated ATB provisions; and guidance for determining what is an “eligible career pathway program” for purposes of determining a student’s eligibility.
This latter clarification is of utmost importance. To be eligible for the newly restored ATB provision, a student must be enrolled in an “eligible career pathway program.” Equally important is the clarification that an eligible career pathway program must have two components: an adult education program component; and a title IV eligible postsecondary program component.
This latter clarification is of utmost importance. To be eligible for the newly restored ATB provision, a student must be enrolled in an “eligible career pathway program.” Equally important is the clarification that an eligible career pathway program must have two components: an adult education program component; and a title IV eligible postsecondary program component.