Through the “Ability to Benefit” (ATB) provisions of the Higher Education Act, a student without a high school diploma or its equivalent can become eligible for title IV federal student aid by completing at least one of three ATB alternatives: 1) Take and receive an acceptable score on one of several Department-approved standardized tests, 2) Complete at least 6 credit hours/225 clock hours of an eligible postsecondary program, or 3) Be admitted through an “approved State process” (34 CFR §668.156). To date, no such state process has been approved by the Department.
To inform states and other stakeholders, the Department of Education will host a webinar that will provide an overview of the application requirements for an approved state process on Feb. 11, 2020, at 2:00PM (EST). The webinar will provide more information about the state process alternative for a student without a high school diploma or its equivalent to access title IV aid to enroll as either a regular student in any eligible program (if first admitted before July 1, 2012) or in an eligible career pathway program (all students first admitted on or after July 1, 2012).
To register for this webinar, please use this link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7825630378171287563
PowerPoint slides will be provided to registrants after the session. Participants will not have an opportunity to ask verbal questions during the event; however, questions can be typed into the webinar chat box. We will try and answer as many questions that are typed into the webinar chat as possible during the presentation. The Department will post answers to any unanswered questions after the presentation.
We look forward to your participation. If you have questions about this webinar, please send a message to atbstateprocess@ed.gov and copy aaron.washington@ed.gov and erin.berg@ed.gov.