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.