Key Takeaways:
- College applications can cost anywhere from $0 to $100 each, but many students pay around $50 per application.
- Students may qualify for college application fee waivers by demonstrating financial need.
- If you’re not eligible for waivers, you can save money by applying to schools with free or low-cost applications.
Source: Pixabay user luxstorm.
One college application at $50 might not seem like a lot, but when you’re supposed to apply to several, it adds up quickly. For many, these costs are not feasible. If you can’t afford the college application fees, it doesn’t mean you can’t attend – there are waivers and fee reductions you might be eligible for. Here’s a look at how you can apply.
How Much Are College Applications?
Most students pay around $50 per college application, but schools can charge anywhere from $0 to $100. For Ivy League schools, the average is closer to $80 per.
Here’s a look at some of the most expensive college application fees in the US:
- Stanford University: $90
- Columbia University: $85
- Duke University: $85
- University of Massachusetts – Amherst: $85
- Boston College: $80
Applying to just these five schools would set you back $425, not including SAT/ACT fees, AP test costs, campus visits, and other related expenses. And you should apply to more than five to have a good mix of colleges and increase your chances of an acceptance letter.
There are, however, hundreds of institutions that don’t charge application fees at all. A few top colleges include:
What If I Can’t Afford the College Application Fee?
Many schools offer college application fee waivers or reduced fees for qualifying students. Exact requirements depend on the institution, and not all offer waivers or fee reductions.
If you’re applying to schools through the Common App or Coalition App, you may receive an automatic waiver due to any of these reasons:
- You are eligible for free or reduced lunch.
- You’re in foster care or are homeless.
- Your family is eligible for public assistance programs, such as SNAP or Medicaid.
- You’ve already received a waiver for the SAT or ACT.
If you don’t receive an automatic waver (or aren’t applying through the Common App or Coalition App), you can:
- Request one through your school’s financial aid department.
- Follow the eligibility questions on the Common or Coalition Apps.
- Complete the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) fee waiver form.
- Ask your guidance counselor, academic advisor, or another official to submit a statement regarding your need.
However, keep in mind that requesting a fee waiver or reduction doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to receive an approval. You may also have to prove your financial need if you didn’t automatically qualify. For example, the Common App might ask about your Pell Grant eligibility or for a supporting statement from your guidance counselor.
Tips to Reduce College Application Costs
Aside from fee waivers, there are plenty of other ways to lower the cost of finding the right colleges for you.
- Apply to schools with free or low-cost applications. Several colleges and universities in the United States charge nothing to apply, and hundreds of others have fees below $50.
- Limit how many colleges you apply to. You should aim to apply to a healthy mix of safety, match, and reach schools, but don’t go overboard on the applications.
- Visit college campuses after you’ve been accepted. Touring campuses can add up, especially if you’re trying to go to school out of state. You might have to pay for the application, but you could save hundreds or even thousands by only visiting after you’ve been accepted.
- Apply for other fee waivers. There are also waivers for AP, SAT, and ACT tests available to qualifying students.
Don’t rule out applying for college simply because they charge application fees. Many institutions offer fee waivers. If you’re having trouble affording the cost, reach out to the financial aid department to learn about their policies.
Scholarships usually come too late to help you afford application fees, but they can help you afford the overall cost of college attendance. The earlier you start searching for awards, the more you could be eligible for. Start finding scholarships today right here on College Raptor.
