Low-income students in Auburn may be unable to take advanced placement examinations this spring because of higher-than-usual test fees.

The Auburn Public Schools Foundation hopes to change that.

The organization is looking to raise $15,000 from the Auburn community to help cover the anticipated shortfall in federal funding. The foundation’s effort comes at the special request of Washington Lt. Gov. Cyrus Habib.

Advanced placement exams are a critical way that high school students can earn post-secondary credit, which reduces college tuition and student loans and increases eventual on-time college graduation.

In a normal year, federal funding would cover most of the exam fees for students covered by the free and reduced lunch program. However, because of changes in legislation, that subsidy is not available in 2017, the foundation said.

That subsidy has meant that low-income students in Auburn have only had to pay around $15 per exam in previous years. This year, that price could soar to $53, an amount out of reach for many students and families, the foundation said.

“Many of our low-income students already have extra barriers to success, both during and after high school,” said Alan Spicciati, Auburn School District superintendent. “Having to pay the full rate for AP exams without any subsidy may cause many of these students to miss this opportunity.”

The foundation is stepping up to help.

“State government leaders have raised lot of support for these students, but I was informed that Auburn will still need to raise about $15,000 to meet the local need,” said Matthew Longhurst, Auburn Public Schools Foundation executive director. “The district’s effort to increase enrollment for these exams means that hundreds of students from low-income families are affected by this funding gap.”

The district’s director of college and career readiness, Tom McDermott, agrees that the students face a real need.

“We’ve been trying to find resources to allow these students to take these exams at little or no cost, but we have not yet been able to confirm a solution.”

The foundation is seeking to fill this need by raising community support by mid-March. Community members interested in supporting these students should contact Longhurst at 206-930-0827 or donate online at auburnpsf.org.