How to Get a College Application Fee Waiver & Apply for Free

Applying to college is expensive, but you don’t have to pay for every application! Many colleges offer fee waivers for students who qualify, helping you save $50–$90 per application.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get a college application fee waiver and apply for free!✅

Step 1: Check If You Qualify for a Fee Waiver

Most colleges grant fee waivers to students who meet at least one of these criteria:

✅ You qualify for free/reduced lunch at school
✅ Your family receives public assistance (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.)
✅ Your household income is below the federal poverty level
✅ You are in foster care or homeless
✅ You’re enrolled in a college access program (TRIO, Upward Bound, etc.)
✅ You already received an SAT, ACT, or NACAC fee waiver

Final Tip: If you’re unsure, ask your school counselor—they can confirm if you qualify!

Step 2: Use an Automatic Fee Waiver (No Extra Forms Needed!)

Some application platforms automatically waive fees if you qualify:

✅ Common App Fee Waiver (For 1,000+ schools)
- When filling out the Common App, answer “Yes” to the question: “Do you qualify for a fee waiver?”
- Select your reason (free/reduced lunch, financial hardship, etc.).
- Your school counselor will verify it—no extra forms needed!

✅ Coalition App Fee Waiver (For 150+ colleges)
- If you qualify for free/reduced lunch or another financial need, the waiver applies automatically.

✅ College Board Fee Waiver (For SAT takers)
- If you used an SAT fee waiver, you automatically qualify for college application fee waivers at over 2,000 schools.
- Find eligible colleges here: BigFuture Fee Waiver Colleges

✅ ACT Fee Waiver Benefits
- If you used an ACT fee waiver, you can apply to 4 colleges for free.

Final Tip: Many state universities waive fees for in-state low-income students—check your school’s website!

Step 3: Request a Fee Waiver from NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling)

If a college doesn’t accept automatic waivers, you can request one through NACAC.

✅ How to Apply for a NACAC Fee Waiver:
✔ Download the NACAC Fee Waiver Form here: NACAC Fee Waiver Form
✔ Fill it out with your information (Name, school, financial situation).
✔ Get it signed by your school counselor.
✔ Submit it directly to the colleges you’re applying to.

Final Tip: NACAC allows up to 4 fee waivers, but some colleges accept it even if you’ve used more than 4!

Step 4: Contact Colleges Directly & Ask for a Fee Waiver

If a college doesn’t offer automatic waivers, you can email or call the admissions office to request one.

✅ How to Ask for a Fee Waiver:

Sample Email Request:

Subject: Request for College Application Fee Waiver

Dear [Admissions Office],

My name is [Your Name], and I am applying for admission to [College Name] for Fall [Year]. Due to financial hardship, I would like to request an application fee waiver.

I have qualified for [free/reduced lunch, SAT/ACT fee waivers, or another reason]. My school counselor can verify my eligibility if needed.

Please let me know the process to request a waiver. Thank you for your time and consideration!

Best,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]

Final Tip: Many colleges are flexible—if you explain your situation, they might waive your fee even if you don’t meet official criteria!

Step 5: Look for Colleges with No Application Fees

Some colleges never charge application fees—so you can apply for free without needing a waiver!

✅ Colleges with No Application Fees:
Wellesley College
Carleton College
Grinnell College
Tulane University
University of Dayton
Case Western Reserve University
Many public universities (especially for in-state students)

Final Tip: Use BigFuture’s "Colleges Without Application Fees" tool to find more schools!

Final Thoughts: Apply to College for Free!

Applying to college shouldn’t be stressful because of fees! Use these steps to get your application fees waived and save hundreds of dollars.

✅ Quick Recap:
✔ Check if you qualify for a fee waiver (low income, SAT waiver, etc.).
✔ Use automatic waivers (Common App, Coalition, SAT, ACT).
✔ Request a NACAC Fee Waiver if needed.
✔ Email the admissions office to request a waiver directly.
✔ Apply to colleges with NO application fees.

Final Tip: Apply early—fee waiver processing can take time!

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