Fee Waiver for the Common Application - How does it work?

Hi folks, I'm trying to keep college application costs down. I heard about fee waivers for the Common Application and wanted to learn more. How can I obtain one? Are there specific requirements I need to meet in order to qualify?

Absolutely, tracking application costs is a smart idea as they can add up quite quickly. The Common Application does provide fee waivers, which can essentially enable you to apply to various colleges without incurring an application fee.

Firstly, How do you obtain one? It's pretty straightforward. There's actually a section in the Common Application titled "Profile" where you are asked several questions about your economic background. These are to determine if you're eligible for a fee waiver.

For qualifying, there are a few indicators that the Common App uses. These include being enrolled in or eligible to participate in the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL), your family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, being enrolled in a federally, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., TRIO programs), receiving public assistance, being homeless, being a ward of the state or an orphan, living in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home or experiencing homelessness, or being a student who can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.

If any of these apply to you, select those circumstances in the fee waiver section of the "Profile" and it will be added to each college when you apply. However, remember that verification might be required.

Hope this clears up your query. Let me know if you have any more questions.