AP® exams for military families: fees, moves and VA benefits
Moving schools, testing overseas or using VA benefits? Here's how AP® exam fees, moves and payback work for military families. Each college decides what credit it gives.
- $99Per exam in the U.S., U.S. territories, Canada and DoWEA schools
- $129Per exam at schools outside the U.S.
- AP, CLEP, DSSTTests VA lists as approved for college credit
AP® fees at home and overseas
U.S. and DoWEA schools
$99 per exam in the U.S., U.S. territories, Canada and DoWEA schools.
Schools abroad
$129 per exam at schools outside the U.S.. A school only counts as outside if it isn't in the U.S., a U.S. territory or commonwealth, or Canada, and isn't a DoWEA school.
Fee help
With significant financial need, a $37 reduction per exam. Ask the AP coordinator.
Paid through the school
Fees go through the school, which may charge more to cover proctoring.
Changing schools mid-year
Moving away
The $40 fee for an ordered exam you don't take doesn't apply if you transfer out of the school.
Arriving late
The late order fee doesn't apply to students who transfer into the school.
Missed May?
College Board suggests CLEP for students who miss the AP exam, where the content matches. CLEP runs all year.
Can VA benefits pay for AP® exams?
VA lists AP among the tests it approves for college credit. It pays back the test fee, including registration and administrative fees, for people already covered by one of these benefits:
Who's covered
The Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty (Chapter 30) or Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606), or DEA (Chapter 35).
Spouses and children
Spouses and children of a Veteran who died, is missing or has a permanent and total service-connected disability may qualify for DEA (Chapter 35).
Pass or fail
VA pays back even if you don't pass.
How to claim
Send VA Form 22-0810 with a copy of the receipt and the test results.
How AP® scores become college credit
Scores 1 to 5
AP scores run from 1 to 5. Many U.S. colleges give credit or placement for 3 and above.
Your college decides
Each college makes its own decisions about what scores it will grant credit or placement for.
Send scores on time
One free score send every year you test; pick it by June 20 and the college should have your scores by early July. Other reports are $15 each.
Don't wait until fall
Some colleges won't accept AP scores once you've arrived on campus as a freshman.
CLEP® for the rest of the family
Service members
DANTES funds CLEP for military personnel on active duty, in the Reserve and in the National Guard. See CLEP® for service members.
Spouses
Spouses eligible for SpouseWorks (formerly MyCAA) can take CLEP exams free through DANTES.
Veterans
The GI Bill can pay CLEP fees back. See CLEP® for veterans.
Study for your AP® exams with TransferCredit.org
Printable study guides for 36 AP exams. Every guide is in one plan: $29 a month, or $149 once.
AP exams for military families: quick answers
How much is an AP exam at a DoWEA school?
$99, the same as in the U.S., U.S. territories and Canada.
What if we move after my child's AP exams were ordered?
The $40 unused-exam fee doesn't apply if you transfer out of the school.
My child transferred in after November. Is there a late fee?
No. The late order fee doesn't apply to students who transfer into the school.
Can the GI Bill pay for AP exams?
VA lists AP among approved tests and pays the fee back for people already covered by Chapter 33, 30, 1606 or 35.
Can military spouses take CLEP exams for free?
Spouses eligible for SpouseWorks (formerly MyCAA) can, through DANTES.
AP® guides for other students
Wherever you're stationed
Our printable AP® guides go where you go: key terms and practice questions for each exam.
We source all of this information from College Board and the VA.