Ability to Benefit

Renton Technical College's Ability to Benefit (ATB) program provides eligible students with a pathway to enroll in approved career and technical education programs and potentially qualify for financial aid while working towards educational goals.

This program is for students who do not have a high school diploma/GED or equivalent but wish to enroll in an eligible career pathway program. Eligible students will be able to receive grant funding from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) to help pay for their tuition, fees, books, transportation, and more. 

Eligiblity Requirements for New ATB Students

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Have not received a high school diploma or completed a GED or equivalent.
• Must be enrolled in a Financial Aid Title-IV eligible career pathway.
• In addition to the above you must meet one of the requirements:
  
  • Have already completed six college credits or 225 clock hours that go towards a Title IV eligible degree. The coursework must demonstrate that the student can benefit from the postsecondary program in which the student is enrolled or intends to enroll.
    OR
  • Must pass ATB ACCUPLACER test with the following scores:
    
    • Reading: 233
    • Writing: 235
    • Arithmetic: 230
• For students pursuing a certificate program at RTC: Student must be co-enrolled in an I-BEST support program or a High School+ supported program, which includes the ability to earn a High School Diploma while working towards a certificate program. 
• Submit a FAFSA or WASFA application each academic year in the program. You only need to submit one application, not both.

If you are interested in the Ability to Benefit program, you can either complete an inquiry form or make an appointment with financial aid.

ATB Inquiry Form

Eligibility Requirements for Current/Continuing ATB Students

• Schedule quarterly meetings to check in with your faculty advisor.
  
  • Meet with your faculty advisor to plan classes each quarter and submit your current academic plan to the financial aid office.
  • If co-enrolled in the IBEST and/or HS+ program, your program plan from your faculty advisor must show progress towards high school completion as well as completion towards your certificate/degree. 
• Submit a FAFSA or WASFA application each academic year in the program. You only need to submit one application, not both.
• A student must make satisfactory academic progress (SAP) after each quarter to continue to be eligible for federal or state aid.

Eligible Career Pathway Programs

An “eligible career pathway program” means a program that combines rigorous and high-quality education, training and other services that:

1. Aligns with the local economy: The program must align with the needs of the local economy.
2. High-quality education: The program must offer rigorous and high-quality education.
3. Career and academic counseling: The program must offer career and academic counseling to students.
4. High school and postsecondary credentials: The program must enable students to complete both a high school and postsecondary credential.

I-BEST Approved Career Pathway Programs
Financial Aid (Title IV) Approved Career Pathway Programs

A Financial Aid (Title IV) eligible program is an educational program that qualifies financial assistance through federal or state aid. Not ALL Financial Aid eligible programs are ATB eligible programs. The academic program you choose must lead to completing high school requirements as well.