The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released updated guidance on the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exam fee subsidy for the 2025-26 school year. According to the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) “Growth, Access & Outcomes” report, Texas has the largest number of IB World Schools and IB programs and is home to nearly one-third of all IB World Schools and IB programs in the U.S. It is important to note that running IB programs is extremely expensive, and several districts (including Houston ISD and Leander ISD) have recently announced elimination of IB programs as part of budget cuts. Per the Oct. 30, 2025, TEA memo, eligible Texas public school students will receive a state subsidy of $27 per exam for both AP and IB tests, reducing the cost of advanced coursework assessments for families across the state. 

For AP exams, the full price set by the College Board is $99. When the College Board’s own $37 fee reduction is combined with the state’s $27 subsidy and a school’s waiver of the typical $9 rebate, the final cost to eligible students comes to just $26 per exam. TEA encouraged schools to order exams by Oct. 4, 2025, with a final ordering deadline of Nov. 15, 2025, to ensure students receive the subsidy. For IB exams, the state subsidy is applied differently—districts and campuses will submit reimbursement applications after the exams have been administered. The application window for reimbursement opens May 15, 2026, and closes June 30, 2026. 

This subsidy continues the state’s efforts to expand access to advanced academic opportunities for students who might otherwise face financial barriers to participation. By lowering the out-of-pocket cost, TEA’s program ensures that more students can benefit from the rigor and college-readiness advantages offered by AP and IB coursework. For educators, this represents a tangible commitment to equity and an acknowledgment of the importance of supporting all students in pursuing challenging coursework. 

District leaders and campus administrators are encouraged to share the updated subsidy information with AP and IB coordinators, counselors, and finance offices to ensure all eligible students receive the benefit. The updated memo and complete instructions can be found at tea.texas.gov. As educators and advocates continue to push for equitable access to advanced learning, this program serves as a reminder of how targeted state policy can make a direct impact in classrooms across Texas.