How to Obtain and Use A College Application Fee Waiver?

Many colleges and universities charge an application fee to consider a student for enrollment. Most college application fees fall in the $40 to $50 range, with some costing as much as $90 (Ahem, Stanford). For many students and their families, these fees present a serious obstacle along the already pricey path to college. You can reduce your application costs by applying for a college application fee waiver.

Eligible for Application Fee Waiver

• If you meet one or more of the following criteria:
• You are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the federal free or reduced price lunch program.
• You have received or are eligible to receive an SAT or ACT fee waiver.
• Your annual family income falls within the income eligibility guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
• Your family receives public assistance.
• You are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., GEAR UP, TRIO such as Upward Bound or others).
• You live in a federally subsidized public housing, a foster home or are homeless.
• You are a ward of the state or an orphan.
• You have received or are eligible to receive a Pell Grant.
• You can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.

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How to Obtain College Application Fee Waiver

There are several ways to obtain a fee waiver for your college applications, depending on the application platform you’re using and your individual circumstances. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through each scenario:

Scenario 1: Using the Common Application

• Log In to Your Common App Account: Access your account at the Common App website.
• Navigate to the “Profile” Section: Find the “Profile” section of your application.
• Locate the “Fee Waiver” Subsection: Within the “Profile” section, look for the “Common Application Fee Waiver” subsection.

• Indicate Your Eligibility: Select “Yes” if you believe you qualify for a fee waiver. You’ll then be asked to choose the reason for your waiver.

• Submit for Counselor Approval: After completing the fee waiver request, your school counselor will need to certify your eligibility. They’ll do this by signing the waiver digitally.

• International Students: Follow the same process, but remember that acceptance of the fee waiver is ultimately up to each individual college.

• Proof of Eligibility: If requested by the school, you may need to provide additional proof of your eligibility, such as a College Board fee waiver form if you used one for the SAT.

Note: If the college requires a hard copy, use the College Board fee waiver form or other similar documents.

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Scenario 2: Using the Coalition Application

• Log In to Your Coalition App Account: Access your account at the Coalition Application website.
• Navigate to the “Profile” Section: Go to the “Profile” section of your application.
• Find the “Fee Waiver” Questions: Look for questions related to fee waivers. These will be part of the “Profile” section.
• Indicate Eligibility: Answer “Yes” to the questions that apply to you, such as eligibility for a Pell Grant.
• List of Waiving Schools: After you’ve indicated your eligibility, you’ll be shown a list of Coalition App schools that will waive their application fees based on your responses.

• Counselor Confirmation: Your counselor will receive and confirm your fee waiver request. Once approved, you’ll bypass the payment screen for applications.

Scenario 3: If You Took the SAT with a Fee Waiver

• Access Fee Waivers: If you took the SAT with a fee waiver, you’ll receive unlimited college application fee waivers from the College Board.
• View and Use Fee Waivers: Log in to your College Board account to view and download your fee waivers.
• Send to Colleges: Print out and send these waivers to the colleges you’re applying to if requested.
• For Non-Common App or Non-Coalition Schools If the school does not use these platforms, use the fee waivers from the College Board or other accepted forms.

Note: If you didn’t take the SAT, you won’t have these waivers. In such cases, consider alternative forms.

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Scenario 4: Using Alternative Fee Waiver Forms

1. ACT Fee Waiver: 

• Accessing the Form: The ACT fee waiver form can be found on the ACT website or in the ACT User Handbook for Educators.
• Completion: Fill out the form with your information and get it signed by your school counselor.

2. Contacting Admissions Offices:

• Request Guidance: If you need an alternative form, call or email the admissions offices of the colleges you’re applying to for specific advice on obtaining a fee waiver.

Final Steps for College Application Fee Waiver

• Research Each College’s Policy: Check each college’s website or contact their admissions office to confirm which fee waivers they accept and how to submit them.
• Seek Counselor Assistance: Your school counselor is a crucial resource. They can help you obtain and complete the necessary forms and provide required signatures.

By following these steps and utilizing the appropriate fee waiver forms, you can effectively manage and potentially eliminate application fees, making the college application process more accessible.