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College requires ability to benefit exam

When a homeschooled high school graduate applied to Delgado Community College, she was told that she would have to take an ability to benefit (ATB) exam before she could be admitted. Our member family contacted Home School Legal Defense Association Attorney Thomas Schmidt, who reviewed the college's catalog and admissions policy to determine the purpose of the requirement.

In order for a college student to be eligible to receive federal financial aid, the United States Department of Education requires the student to have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certificate or pass an approved ATB exam. It appears that Delgado Community College mistakenly understood the ATB requirement to apply to homeschool graduates. However, the Department has specifically held that college students who have completed high school in a homeschool setting are eligible for federal financial aid without taking an ATB exam. In addition, Congress has declared that a college policy requiring additional testing for homeschool graduates is, in its opinion, discriminatory.

In a letter written on behalf of our member family, Schmidt urged Delgado Community College not to delay the homeschool graduate's admission any longer by requiring ATB testing. We believe the college will amend its policy now that the U.S. Department of Education's position has been clarified.

— by Thomas J. Schmidt