Hey everyone! I'm super interested in applying to a few HBCUs for college and was wondering if there's a way to get a fee waiver for those applications on the Common App. Has anyone gone through this process and can offer any tips on how to get the waiver? I want to apply to as many schools as possible, but fees are adding up fast. Thanks in advance for the help!
Hello! Absolutely, you can receive a fee waiver for the Common App, and this applies to HBCUs as well. You'll need to meet certain eligibility criteria, which include things like financial need-based qualifications such as being eligible for the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch program, or your family receiving public assistance. Other qualifications include being a first-generation college student or facing financial hardships, such as living in a federally subsidized public housing or a foster home.
To get the waiver, you'll need to complete the fee waiver section within the Common App itself. Your school counselor can also provide you with a fee waiver form after assessing your eligibility. Once you've been approved for a Common App waiver, it should apply to all colleges you apply to through the Common App, not just HBCUs.
It's definitely worth discussing with your counselor to see if you qualify. This can significantly reduce the financial burden of college applications, allowing you to apply to a good number of schools without worrying about the fees piling up. Best of luck with your applications!
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