Applying to college can be expensive before classes even begin. Students may need to pay application fees for multiple colleges, along with costs for entrance exams, transcripts, document processing, and other admission requirements.
For students and families with limited financial resources, these upfront expenses can make it harder to apply to the schools they want to attend. Fortunately, some colleges and application platforms offer fee waivers that allow eligible students to submit applications without paying the usual fee.
In the United States, students may be able to access fee waivers through Common App, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), individual colleges, school counselors, and college access organizations. Some colleges also allow students to request a waiver directly from their admissions office.
OpenGrants Network helps students explore assistance options that may fit their circumstances. We do not issue grants, pay application fees, or guarantee approval. Eligibility checks, program matching, and guidance are free.
Who May Qualify for Help Paying College Application Fees?
College application fee waivers are often intended for students who face financial barriers to applying for higher education. Requirements differ between colleges and application platforms. You may qualify if you:
- Have a low household income or limited financial resources
- Receive certain public assistance benefits
- Qualify for free or reduced-price school meals under applicable program rules
- Have received or qualify for an SAT or ACT fee waiver
- Participate in a college access program for students from low-income families
- Are experiencing homelessness or housing instability
- Are in foster care or have experienced other qualifying hardships
- Have a school counselor or another authorized professional who can verify your financial circumstances
Some colleges offer fee waivers based on their own criteria. International applicants may also qualify for certain waivers, depending on the institution's policies. Meeting one of these conditions does not guarantee approval. Always review the requirements for the specific application platform and college.
Check What You May Qualify For
You may be able to explore college application fee waivers, free application opportunities, or individual college policies that reduce upfront admission costs.
- ✓ Free eligibility check
- ✓ Free guidance if needed
Each college or application platform makes its own decisions about fee waivers.
Types of Assistance for Paying College Application Fees
1. Common App Fee Waiver
Common App offers a fee waiver option for eligible students applying through its platform. Applicants can review the eligibility requirements in their Common App account and indicate whether they qualify.
Possible eligibility factors include financial need, certain public assistance benefits, participation in qualifying programs, and support from a school official or college access counselor.
Not every college accepts the Common App fee waiver, and some institutions have their own policies. Check each college's requirements before submitting your application.
2. NACAC Application Fee Waivers
The National Association for College Admission Counseling provides an application fee waiver request form for eligible undergraduate applicants experiencing financial need.
The form generally requires information from the student and verification from an authorized school official or appropriate community-based professional. Applicants must send the completed form directly to the college and confirm that the institution accepts it.
NACAC also provides information about transfer application fee waivers and enrollment deposit waiver requests.
3. College-Specific Application Fee Waivers
Some colleges and universities offer their own application fee waivers. These may be available to applicants who demonstrate financial hardship, participate in particular programs, attend eligible recruitment events, or meet other institutional criteria.
Contact the admissions office at each college to ask whether you can request a waiver. Explain your financial circumstances and ask what documentation, if any, is required.
4. Colleges With No Application Fee
Some colleges do not charge an application fee at all. Applying to these institutions may help students reduce the cost of submitting multiple applications.
Check the college's official admissions website for current fee information. Some institutions may charge fees for particular programs even when other applications are free.
5. School Counselor and College Access Program Support
High school counselors and college access organizations may help students determine whether they qualify for fee waivers and complete the necessary requests.
Programs that support students from low-income families may provide application guidance and help identify participating colleges. If you are no longer in high school, a community organization or another authorized professional may be able to help, depending on the waiver requirements.
6. Application Fee Waivers for Transfer Students
Students transferring from one college to another may have access to separate fee waiver forms or institutional assistance.
For example, NACAC provides a transfer application fee waiver request process. Some colleges also have individual policies for transfer applicants. Ask the admissions office whether transfer applicants qualify and which form or process they should use.
7. Fee Waivers for International Applicants
International students applying to U.S. colleges may qualify for some application fee waivers, but eligibility depends on the platform and institution.
Common App notes that colleges have different policies for international applicants. NACAC also allows eligible international first-time undergraduate applicants to request its application fee waiver, subject to the college's decision. If you are applying from outside the United States, contact each college directly to confirm whether international applicants are eligible.
What If You Cannot Afford College Application Fees?
If application fees are preventing you from applying, consider these steps:
- Check whether the application platform offers a fee waiver
- Contact each college's admissions office and explain your financial situation
- Ask your school counselor whether they can verify your eligibility
- Explore colleges that do not charge application fees
- Check whether a college access program can help with the application process
- Confirm whether transfer applicants or international students have separate waiver options
Do not assume that you must pay every application fee. Some institutions provide alternatives, although waiver availability and approval are not guaranteed.
How to Find Help Paying College Application Fees
- List the colleges you want to apply to. Record each institution's application deadline, fee, and admission requirements.
- Check the application platform. If using Common App or another platform, review its fee waiver process.
- Review your eligibility. Read the financial need and other qualifying criteria carefully.
- Contact your school counselor. Ask whether they can verify your eligibility or guide you through the process.
- Contact each admissions office. Ask whether the college offers its own application fee waiver.
- Explore free-application colleges. Check official websites for institutions that do not charge application fees.
- Gather supporting information. You may need details about your financial circumstances, school enrollment, or participation in qualifying programs.
- Complete the correct request. Follow the platform's instructions or submit the college's required form.
- Confirm the waiver is accepted. Make sure you understand whether approval is required before submitting the application.
- Track deadlines and responses. Keep records of requests and follow up with admissions offices when necessary.