How do I ask for a college fee waiver?

Applying to colleges can get really expensive, and I know there are fee waivers available. How and when do I request one? Will the college be less likely to accept me if I ask for financial help? I'm a bit worried about how it might be perceived.

It's completely understandable to be concerned about the cost of college applications and to want to take advantage of fee waivers. To help ease your mind, know that asking for a fee waiver will not negatively impact your chances of acceptance. Colleges understand that the cost can be prohibitive for some students, and they want to ensure that everyone has the chance to apply, regardless of their financial situation.

To request a college application fee waiver, you can follow these general steps:

1. Determine your eligibility: Usually, students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are enrolled in a federal assistance program, or have family income below a certain threshold are eligible for fee waivers. You can find detailed eligibility criteria on the College Board or NACAC websites.

2. Obtain the necessary forms: You can request fee waivers through the Common App, Coalition App, or by completing the NACAC fee waiver form. Your high school counselor can also help you with these forms if needed.

3. Submit the forms: Once you have completed the appropriate form, submit it to the college(s) you are applying to. Be sure to keep track of any deadlines.

4. Confirm receipt: It's a good idea to follow up and make sure the college received your request for a fee waiver and confirm its approval.

For more information on application fee waivers and ways to save money during the application process, check out this CollegeVine blog post: https://blog.collegevine.com/the-complete-guide-to-fee-waivers-in-the-college-application-process

I hope this helps! Good luck with your college applications!