Press Releases
The College Board Offers Free SAT® to Seniors and Free PSAT/NMSQT® to Sophomores and Juniors Affected by Hurricane Katrina
Additional Accommodations Being Made to Address Education Needs in Region09/15/05
NEW YORK—In recognition of the major hardships that many students are experiencing in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the College Board is offering seniors from the affected area a free SAT test, during the November and December administrations. The College Board is also offering a PSAT/NMSQT® at no cost to tenth- and eleventh-grade students from the distressed region.
The offer is specifically for students who live in the flood zone or have been displaced to new locations because of Hurricane Katrina. To receive free testing services, seniors should request SAT fee waivers from their current school counselor and mail the waiver with their registration forms. If students are registering online, they need to enter the fee waiver code where indicated on the online form at www.collegeboard.com/sat. Juniors and sophomores taking the PSAT/NMSQT need to check in with their current school's guidance office, since the schools will be receiving instructions directly from the PSAT/NMSQT program on waiving fees.
"All of us at the College Board have been deeply concerned about the hundreds of thousands of people whose lives have been disrupted in unimaginable ways by Hurricane Katrina," said Gaston Caperton, president of the College Board. "The people of this region have been struggling to meet their most basic needs, and in the future, they will confront enormous challenges involving housing and education. At the College Board, we are taking a first step by providing free testing to college-bound students from the area. We pledge to continue to find ways to help young people with their educational needs."
The College Board is developing and putting into effect additional methods of assisting students, counselors, teachers, and administrators in middle schools and high schools as well as colleges and universities in the affected states. The College Board will also be making financial donations to help provide the students in these areas with the best possible learning environment during this difficult time.
Additional SAT Accommodations
Schools that require additional fee waiver cards should request them by contacting College Board regional offices. Schools can also call 888 SAT-HELP. SAT scores will be reported to school counselors at students' host schools or regular schools if those schools are still open.
Additional PSAT/NMSQT Accommodations
Schools that are taking in displaced students should contact the PSAT/NMSQT Program as soon as possible at 888 477-PSAT or through psat@collegeboard.org if they have not already done so.
Additional College Board Program Changes or Adjustments
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®
The College Board's CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE® Service is making the following changes as a result of Hurricane Katrina's tragic effects:
- Freshman applicants who live (or lived) in the flood zone or have been displaced to new locations because of the flood created by Hurricane Katrina will automatically be given a fee waiver for 2006-07. Students will be asked for the zip code of their legal residence as of August 29, 2005.
- For students who completed a 2005-06 PROFILE for Tulane University or Xavier University of Louisiana, and who are attending another institution for the fall semester, the College Board will transfer PROFILE data to the receiving college or university without charge. For more information contact the College Board at 800 239-5888. (Tulane and Xavier officials: The College Board will hold all PROFILE reports until these institutions are able to receive mail.)
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
The College Board has set up an intake process to help students with destroyed eligibility records, for students transferring to a new school that does not have their disability records, and for students yet to send Student Eligibility Forms or for those presently being processed at the College Board. Each student's accommodation needs will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Student Eligibility Forms currently in process for students from the affected schools will be reviewed to ensure that they are included in the special processing. For questions regarding SSD test-takers from the affected areas, contact the SSD Coordinator Hotline at 800 257-5123 or ssd@info.collegeboard.org.
Further information about College Board program changes and adjustments to help students and educators from the hurricane region will soon be announced including plans for the Advanced Placement Program®.
Important Contact Information:
(Students, counselors, and administrators should indicate that their inquiry is Katrina-related)
General College Board Questions: 866 392-3017 or www.collegeboard.com
SAT Registration & Fee Waivers: 609 771-7600 or 888 SAT-HELP
PSAT/NMSQT: 888 477-PSAT, or psat@collegeboard.org
National Merit Scholarship Competition: 847 866-5161
CSS Financial Aid PROFILE: 800 239-5888
SSD Coordinator Hotline: 800 257-5123 or ssd@info.collegeboard.org
Southern Regional Office: 770 908-9737
Southwestern Regional Office: 512 891-8400
Midwestern Regional Office: 847 653-4500
New England Regional Office: 781 890-9150
Middle States Regional Office: 610 667-4400
Western Regional Office: 408 452-1400
Puerto Rico and Latin America Office: 787 759-8625