Fee Waivers for the Common App: Your Complete Guide

Applying to college through the Common Application can be a costly endeavor, with application fees ranging from $40 to $80 per school. However, many students may qualify for a Common App fee waiver, which can significantly reduce or even eliminate these costs.

Who Qualifies for a Fee Waiver?

According to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), students typically qualify for a Common App fee waiver if they meet any of the following criteria:

• Income and Asset Guidelines: Students whose family income falls below certain guidelines may qualify for a fee waiver. For example, a family of four with an income of $65,000 or less may be eligible.
• School District Guidelines: Some school districts offer fee waivers to students who attend schools with a high percentage of students from low-income families.
• Educational Programs: Students who participate in certain educational programs, such as Upward Bound, may qualify for fee waivers.
• Military Affiliation: Dependents of active military personnel or veterans may be eligible for fee waivers.
• Other Factors: In some cases, students may qualify for fee waivers due to specific circumstances, such as being a foster child or experiencing homelessness.

How to Apply for a Fee Waiver

Applying for a Common App fee waiver is relatively straightforward. Students can either:

• Submit a fee waiver request to the Common App directly: Visit the official Common App website and follow the instructions to submit a fee waiver request.
• Contact their school counselor: Many school counselors have access to fee waiver codes that they can provide to eligible students.

Students will need to provide documentation to support their eligibility, such as a recent tax return or a letter from their school counselor.

Benefits of a Fee Waiver

Receiving a fee waiver for the Common App can provide numerous benefits, including:

• Reducing or eliminating application costs: Fee waivers can save students and families a significant amount of money on application fees.
• Increasing access to higher education: Fee waivers can make it more affordable for students from low-income backgrounds to apply to college.
• Demonstrating financial need: Applying for a fee waiver can indicate to colleges that a student has financial need, which may make them eligible for additional financial aid.

Common Questions about Fee Waivers

1. Can I use a fee waiver multiple times?
Yes, students can use a fee waiver for multiple Common App applications. However, some colleges may require students to submit a new fee waiver request for each application.

2. How do I know if I qualify for a fee waiver?
Review the eligibility criteria and contact your school counselor or the Common App directly to determine if you qualify.

3. What should I do if I'm denied for a fee waiver?
If a fee waiver request is denied, students can appeal the decision by contacting the Common App or their school counselor. They may also consider applying for fee waivers from individual colleges.

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Fee Waiver

1. Gather your supporting documentation (e.g., tax return, school counselor letter).
2. Visit the Common App website or contact your school counselor.
3. Submit a fee waiver request.
4. Wait for a response.
5. If approved, use the fee waiver code to submit your Common App applications.

Pros and Cons of Fee Waivers

Pros:

• Reduces or eliminates application costs
• Increases access to higher education
• Demonstrates financial need

Cons:

• May require documentation to support eligibility
• May need to submit multiple fee waiver requests
• Does not cover all application costs (e.g., CSS Profile, transcripts)

Tables for Common Application Fee Waivers

Table 1: Fee Waiver Eligibility Criteria

Table 2: Fee Waiver Request Process

Table 3: Benefits of Fee Waivers

Table 4: Frequently Asked Questions about Fee Waivers