How to Qualify for Application Fee Waivers

Eligibility requirements for college application fee waivers vary from college to college, so it's important to check the college's website for details. You may qualify for a college application fee waiver if any of the following statements are true:

• You have received or are eligible to receive an ACT or SAT testing fee waiver.
• You are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL).
• Your family's annual income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
• You are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs such as Upward Bound).
• Your family receives public assistance.
• You live in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home, or are homeless.
• You are a ward of the state or an orphan.

You may also qualify based on your high school counselor's personal knowledge of your family circumstances.

How to Apply for College Application Fee Waivers

If the college offers application fee waivers (not all colleges do), instructions for how to apply should be included in the college's application or on its website. You can also access fee waiver forms through the Common Application, the Coalition Application, the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and your counselor's office. 

Counselor Approval is Required

Your fee waiver application must be signed by your high school counselor or another school official. Your counselor may ask to see proof that you meet one or more of the qualifications. If you are applying for a fee waiver through the Coalition App or the Common App, these platforms will notify your counselor for their signature and send the form to your colleges. Colleges do not have to honor your request, and they might review your FAFSA or ask for other verification of your qualifications. However, this is rare.

Qualifying through the ACT or SAT

If you qualified for an ACT or SAT test fee waiver, you will be eligible for college application fee waivers as well. The eligibility criteria are the same. The ACT provides an application fee waiver form on its website that students may send to any number of colleges; eligible students taking the SAT receive four application fee waivers.

If you are applying to several colleges, application fees can really add up. Don't let high fees discourage you from applying to college. Find out if you qualify for a fee waiver.