Are there any fees associated with submitting the Common App?

I'm budgeting for application fees and I was wondering, do you have to pay just to use the Common App platform, or is it free and we only pay when submitting to each individual college?

Hey there! Great question about the Common App. You're right to budget for application fees because they can definitely add up. Here's the scoop: The Common App itself is free to use for filling out and preparing your applications. However, when it comes time to submit your applications to individual colleges, that's when the fees come into play.

Each college sets its own application fee, which can range from $25 to upwards of $90 per submission. It's all about the submission process; think of the Common App as your free toolkit, but the colleges are the ones that charge when you send them your application. Don't forget to look for fee waivers, which are available if the application fees are a financial burden for you. If you qualify for a fee waiver, you would be able to submit your application to a number of colleges for free. Your high school counselor can provide you with more info on this, or you can check out the eligibility guidelines right on the Common App website. Hope this helps you plan your application budget effectively!