Hey guys! I was talking to a friend about starting our college applications and they mentioned something about a fee for using the Common App. I'm a little worried about costs and all, so I wanted to ask here—is using the Common App itself free or do we have to pay to set up our profiles and stuff before even applying to colleges?
Hello there! I'm glad you're starting to think about your college applications and are mindful of the associated costs. To answer your question, the Common Application platform is indeed free to use for students to set up profiles, add colleges, and work on the application components.
However, when you submit your applications to individual colleges through the Common App, most colleges do require an application fee for processing. These fees vary by institution. If the application fees present a financial burden to you, you can request a fee waiver directly through the Common App.
The process is straightforward, and if you're eligible, you won't have to pay the application fees at the schools you apply to. Keep in mind also that some colleges do not charge an application fee at all, so it's worth researching the specific colleges you're interested in. Best of luck with your applications!
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