How do I get a College Application Fee Waiver?

A college application fee waiver form can be obtained in a variety of ways. Your high school guidance counselor, who is responsible for assisting you in completing the form, may have a copy or know how to obtain one. You can also contact the college’s admissions office directly or look into organizations that assist students with college applications. Meeting the college’s requirements for waiving college application fees is more important than obtaining a waiver form. Typically, these criteria are focused on financial need.

Talk to your high school guidance counselor or equivalent for an application fee waiver form for the college or university you’re applying to. If your guidance counselor does not have the form, you or he can request one from the college or university’s admissions department. Some colleges and universities will accept a statement on your high school’s letterhead from your guidance counselor stating that you meet the requirements for an application fee waiver.

By completing a generic application fee waiver form with your counselor, you and your counselor may be able to streamline the college application process. The availability of this type of form, as well as whether colleges and universities will accept it, are determined by factors such as where you live and the college to which you are applying. The National Association for College Admission Counseling, for example, provides a universal form for students and counselors in the United States. It’s important to note that just because this type of form is available doesn’t mean your preferred colleges will accept it or waive their application fees. As a result, it’s best to first check for an official form from each college, or at the very least ask if the generic form is accepted.

Some colleges and universities have application requirements for homeschooled students because not all applicants attend traditional secondary schools. The college may accept a statement from your parents or allow your parents to assist you in filling out the form if you were homeschooled. Before proceeding with the application fee waiver process, make sure to speak with a college admissions representative.

Make sure you meet each school’s requirements for waiving college application fees before moving forward with your application for waivers. These requirements differ from college to college, but they usually center on your or your family’s financial situation. This usually means that an eligible applicant’s family must earn a certain amount of money each year. Other eligibility criteria may include the applicant’s status as a state ward or their transition from high school to college. Some colleges and universities may waive application fees for students who qualify for other types of financial aid, such as free or reduced lunch at high school or the SAT Fee Waiver Service.