Some students may find college application fees to be prohibitively expensive, especially if they plan to apply to multiple schools. There are ways to avoid these costs, but the terms will differ depending on the institution. Proving financial hardship, applying to colleges online, attending certain programs on campus, and being the child or sibling of a graduate are all common ways for an applicant to avoid fees. In order to determine their eligibility for fee waivers, prospective students should check with the individual schools in which they are interested, as well as their school guidance counselors.
Students from low-income families who can demonstrate that their earnings are below a certain level and that paying college application fees would be an economic hardship are frequently eligible for fee waivers. College application fee waivers are usually available to students who have qualified for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT®) Fee-Waiver Service in the United States. Waivers are typically granted to students for a maximum of four applications to participating schools. To do so, the student usually needs to ask his or her guidance counselor for a signed statement of eligibility.
Furthermore, when students apply to colleges online, their college application fees are frequently waived. In some ways, the applicant is being rewarded by the college for saving time and reducing paperwork by submitting his or her application electronically. Students can check the guidelines for the colleges to which they are applying to see if they can apply online and avoid paying application fees.
If prospective applicants attend special information sessions or diversity programs, for example, some institutions will reduce or waive fees. Others provide fee waivers simply for visiting the campus before applying. They may also waive fees for applicants who are currently serving in the military or in another form of public service. College application fees are sometimes waived for children and siblings of alumni at certain schools. It’s also known as a legacy waiver, and it may be granted to an applicant whose parent received a specific award from the institution.
Meeting certain application deadlines can often result in fees being waived or reduced. A common first step in avoiding paying college application fees is to seek advice from one’s guidance counselor. In some cases, applicants may be required to submit documentation proving that they come from low-income families. Otherwise, students can inquire about such waivers directly with college admissions offices.