Closing Gaps, Creating Futures
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has built one of the nation’s strongest Advanced Placement (AP) programs, expanding access and success for Black, Latinx, and low-income students. Since 2020, federal funds have allowed CPS to cover AP exam fees for all students, helping drive:
- 18.4% increase in AP students
- 23% increase in exams taken
- 10% increase in Black student enrollment
- 5.5% increase in Latinx student enrollment
These gains represent thousands of students earning early college credit, reducing tuition costs, and entering higher education better prepared to succeed.
Donate Now
Your investment now will protect hard-won equity gains,
keep doors to college open for Chicago’s students,
and ensure the next generation continues to thrive.
Why This Fund Matters
As federal funding ends, the district can no longer cover exam fees for all students. CPS will continue paying for all College Board fee-waiver–eligible exams (about 60% of AP students), but students just above the waiver threshold—or those taking multiple exams—may not be able to participate without additional support. Your donation helps bridge this gap and ensures that cost never prevents a student from taking an AP exam.
The Return on Investment
AP participation directly improves college readiness, enrollment, and persistence, especially for underrepresented students. The May 2025 exam session yielded:
- 28,328 qualifying scores (3+) earned in 2025
- 84,984 potential college credits
- $42.49M potential tuition savings for Illinois students and families
The impact is both immediate (college credit earned in high school) and long-term (increased college completion rates).
Be a Part of the Success Story
Donating to the AP Exam Fund helps bridge the funding gap so more CPS students can earn early college credit and advanced career credentials while in high school. Your support sustains recent equity gains by ensuring Black and Latinx students, who face the steepest barriers, can continue to access and succeed in AP courses. Together with CPS’s investment in fee-waiver exams, philanthropy ensures cost never stands in the way of students saving money, reducing debt, and staying on track to graduate college-ready.
