HS Diploma/Ability to Benefit

HS Diploma/Ability to Benefit

To receive financial aid funds at UCNJ, a student must be qualified to study at the  post-secondary level.  A student qualifies if he/she:

  • has a high school diploma;
  • has the recognized equivalent of a high school diploma, such as a general educational development or GED certificate; or
  • has completed homeschooling at the secondary level as defined by state law.

A student may self-certify on the FAFSA that he/she has received a high  school diploma or GED or that he/she has completed secondary school through  homeschooling as defined by state law.

If you have been requested to verify  your status, you can complete the Statement of High School Graduation form.

Ability-To-Benefit (ATB) test – Effective with the 2012-2013 award year, new students who do not  have a high school diploma, or an equivalent such as a GED, and who did  not complete secondary school in a homeschool setting are not eligible for  financial aid funds. Such students can no longer become eligible by passing an  approved “ability-to-benefit” test or by satisfactorily completing at least six credit hours or 225 clock hours of college work that is applicable to a degree  or certificate offered by the student’s post-secondary institution.

However, students who were enrolled in an eligible program  of study at UCNJ before July 1, 2012 may continue to be considered eligible for federal financial aid funds.