Press release: Bingaman: Federal grant will help students pay for AP tests

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today announced that the New Mexico Department of Public Education will receive a $119,990 federal grant to help low-income students defray the cost of Advanced Placement tests.

Bingaman is responsible for creating the U.S. Department of Education program from which this grant was awarded.

“This grant award will allow New Mexico students to participate in Advanced Placement exams even if their families cannot afford the test fees. I have long championed Advanced Placement as a means to ensure that all students receive a rigorous education that prepares them for college or high-skill work,” Bingaman said.

“Students who are successful on AP exams can earn college-level credit, which lowers the cost of obtaining a college degree. New Mexico has taken the lead in expanding access to AP courses and exams, and this grant will support our efforts to provide a high-quality education for all students in the state,” he added.