Is There a Way to Apply to Colleges for Free?

Applying to college shouldn’t feel like a financial burden. For many students, especially those from low-income families, even a $50 application fee adds up fast-especially when you’re applying to six, eight, or even ten schools. The good news? Free college applications are more common than you think. You don’t need to be a genius or have a perfect GPA to qualify. You just need to know where to look and how to ask.

Colleges That Offer Free Applications

Thousands of colleges and universities in the U.S. have eliminated or waived application fees for certain students. Some do it for everyone. Others have specific eligibility rules. For example, the University of California system has had no application fees since 2021 for all U.S. applicants, regardless of income. That’s 10 campuses-from UCLA to UC Davis-completely free to apply to.

Other public university systems, like the University of Texas and the University of Michigan, also offer fee waivers for students who qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in high school. In 2024, over 1,200 colleges participated in the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s (NACAC) fee waiver program, which lets counselors approve waivers for students who demonstrate financial need.

Private colleges aren’t left out either. Schools like Amherst, Swarthmore, and Bowdoin-known for their generous financial aid-don’t charge application fees at all. Even larger private universities like NYU and Northwestern offer fee waivers on request if you meet income guidelines.

How to Get a Fee Waiver

There are three main ways to get your application fee waived:

1. Through your high school counselor-They can request a NACAC waiver form for you if you qualify based on family income, participation in federal assistance programs, or being in foster care.
2. Through the Common App or Coalition App-Both platforms have built-in fee waiver options. If you indicate you’re eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, or if your family receives public assistance, the system automatically unlocks free applications to participating schools.
3. Directly from the college-Some schools let you email their admissions office and ask for a waiver. All you need to say is: “I’m applying for financial aid and would appreciate a fee waiver.” Many respond within 48 hours.

Don’t assume you don’t qualify. Even if your family makes a little more than the official poverty line, you might still be eligible. The cutoffs are often higher than people think. For example, a family of four earning up to $65,000 a year qualifies for fee waivers at many schools.

What If You’re Not Eligible?

Not everyone qualifies for a fee waiver-but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck paying. Many colleges offer fee discounts, not just full waivers. Some reduce the fee from $75 to $25. Others have rolling deadlines with lower fees for early applications. Check each school’s website under “Admissions” or “Apply” and look for phrases like “application fee reduction” or “financial hardship exception.”

Also, some organizations give out fee waiver codes. The College Board offers up to four free SAT fee waivers per student, and each one includes a college application fee waiver for up to four schools. If you took the SAT and qualified for a fee waiver, you probably already got this benefit-check your College Board account.

Why Fee Waivers Matter

Application fees aren’t just a cost-they’re a barrier. A 2023 study by the National Center for Fair & Open Testing found that students from low-income families were 30% less likely to apply to selective colleges simply because of application fees. When fees were removed, applications from those students increased by nearly 50%.

That’s not just about saving $40. It’s about access. Students who don’t apply to reach schools because of fees miss out on full-ride scholarships, better academic programs, and higher graduation rates. Fee waivers level the playing field.

How to Maximize Free Applications

Here’s how to get the most out of free applications:

• Apply to at least one safety, one match, and one reach school at no cost.
• Use the Common App or Coalition App-they let you apply to 20+ schools with one fee waiver.
• Don’t wait until the last minute. Some schools run out of waiver slots.
• Ask your counselor to help you fill out the waiver form. They’ve done it hundreds of times.
• Keep a spreadsheet: list schools, fees, waiver status, and deadlines. It saves stress.

Also, remember: applying for free doesn’t mean you’re applying to “lesser” schools. Many top-ranked institutions offer free applications. You’re not lowering your standards-you’re removing an artificial barrier.

Common Myths About Free Applications

Let’s clear up some false ideas:

• Myth: Only students with perfect grades get fee waivers. Truth: Income and family circumstances matter more than grades.
• Myth: If you get a waiver, your application gets less attention. Truth: Admissions officers can’t see whether you paid the fee. It’s not tracked in your file.
• Myth: You have to prove poverty with tax documents. Truth: Most schools just ask you to check a box on the application or have your counselor verify.
• Myth: Only public schools offer free apps. Truth: Many elite private colleges don’t charge fees at all.

What to Do Next

Start today. Open your Common App or Coalition App account. Go to the “Fee Waiver” section. Answer the questions honestly. If you qualify, you’ll see a green checkmark next to schools you can apply to for free.

If you’re unsure, talk to your counselor. If your school doesn’t have one, find a local nonprofit-like CollegePoint or First Generation-that helps students with applications. They’ll walk you through it.

And if you’re still nervous? Apply to one school for free. Then another. Then another. Each one is a step closer to a future you can afford.

Final Thought: You Deserve to Apply

College admissions shouldn’t be a privilege for those who can afford it. The system is designed to help students like you-not to gatekeep opportunity. Free applications exist because someone, somewhere, believed that talent shouldn’t be limited by bank accounts. You don’t need to be the top of your class. You don’t need to have a perfect SAT score. You just need to believe you belong-and then click “apply.”