Free Application Fee Universities: Do they exist?

Hey everyone, I'm on a tight budget and am trying to save money on application fees. Are there any universities in the USA that offer free or waiver-based application fees? If so, how do I find them?

Yes, there are universities in the USA that offer free or waiver-based application fees. In fact, some colleges don't charge an application fee at all, while others provide fee waivers for students who demonstrate financial need.

To find colleges with free application fees, you can use online college search tools like CollegeVine, which allows you to filter your search based on the application fee. You can also visit the websites of colleges you're interested in and check their admissions or application fee sections to see if they don't charge a fee or offer fee waivers.

For waiver-based application fees, you will typically need to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for a waiver. The College Board provides fee waivers for students who took the SAT using a fee waiver. Additionally, the Common Application and Coalition Application both have a fee waiver request option within their platforms.

To request a fee waiver through the Common Application or Coalition Application, you'll need to answer a few questions about your financial situation during the application process. If you qualify based on their criteria, the application fees for participating colleges will be waived.

Keep in mind that eligibility requirements for fee waivers may vary between colleges, so it's a good idea to verify each school's specific process and requirements by visiting their website or contacting their admissions office.

Good luck with your college search, and don't hesitate to seek guidance from your high school counselor or college admissions counselor if you need help navigating the application fee waiver process.