Calculating fees for higher ed can add up quickly. Between tuition, books, supplies the sum can be intimidating. However, did you calculate the fees to even apply to your school(s) of choice??? Application fees can become a financial burden before you even step foot into your first course. But TST is here to tell you that it doesn’t have to.
Let’s face it college is a business. You must leverage your talents and wits to get the most value out of what you’re investing. Some schools charge students $90 just to apply! Did you know that there are 400+ schools that do not have application fee waivers for domestic and international students?! (source)
I was not familiar with application fee waivers until I received one for Syracuse University. I participated in a free informational session and within the following week, I received a waiver to bypass the charge to apply to the school. Participating in that session showed the school that I was interested, and the waiver confirmed that the program was interested in me. This is one of many ways you can avoid spending your money just applying for schools.
Other methods include:
- The NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) offers instructions on how you can submit a form requesting an application fee waiver.
- Please note that you must demonstrate economic hardship to be eligible.
- You must have a school counselor, principal or an official from a community-based organization verify your economic eligibility. Learn more about if you qualify to use this form here.
- Common App is a great platform that provides a roadmap of the entire college application process. You can evaluate over 900+ colleges and receive a thorough break down of all of the ways you can pay for school. Whether you are a first-year student or transferring, there are resources catered just for you. The Common App enables you to apply to multiple colleges across the U.S. with one standard application (source).
- Common App schools want to make sure that application fees do not pose a barrier for students pursuing higher education. Click here to download their resource guide and check out their solution center to learn more.
- If your relatives are alumni of the school, you are applying for you may be eligible for a fee waiver as a legacy applicant (source).
- College Board offers a SAT fee waiver which includes four college application fee waivers as well. College Board’s FAQs break down if you are eligible here.
- Call the admissions office and inquire. I will beat this line into the ground, but closed mouths don’t get fed!!
Don’t let your pursuit of education turn into a debt sentence. The Scholars Toolkit believes education is a passport for your future.
