Waive Application Fee: How to Get Into College Without Paying Upfront

When you’re applying to college, the waive application fee, a request to skip the cost of submitting an application, often due to financial hardship isn’t just a nice option—it’s a lifeline. Many students don’t realize they qualify, and end up skipping schools they could’ve gotten into simply because they couldn’t pay $50 or $75 per application. The truth? Most colleges have a way to remove this barrier if you meet basic income or circumstance criteria. It’s not a special favor. It’s a standard part of admissions equity.

There are three main ways to get a waive application fee, a formal request to remove the cost of submitting a college application: through the Common App or Coalition App fee waiver form, by your high school counselor’s signature, or directly from the college if they offer automatic waivers. If you’re on free or reduced-price lunch, in foster care, homeless, or receive government assistance like SNAP or TANF, you likely qualify. Some schools waive fees for first-generation students, veterans’ children, or even those who attend certain public high schools. You don’t need to be perfect—just honest.

And it’s not just about saving money. Waiving the fee opens doors. A student who can’t afford to apply to five schools might miss out on the one that’s the perfect fit. Colleges know this. That’s why many now automatically waive fees for students who meet FAFSA income thresholds or apply early. Some even waive fees for students who visit campus or attend a virtual info session. The system isn’t perfect, but it’s designed to help you—not to gatekeep.

Don’t wait until the last minute to ask. Talk to your school counselor early. Fill out the fee waiver form in the Common App before you start listing schools. Check each college’s website—some have their own waiver forms or links. And if you’re unsure? Just ask. No one will penalize you for needing help. The goal isn’t to make college easy—it’s to make it possible.

Below, you’ll find real stories and practical advice from students who’ve navigated this exact road. From how to prove eligibility without embarrassment, to which schools are easiest to get waived from, to what happens after you submit your waiver—all of it’s here. No fluff. Just what you need to move forward without the financial weight holding you back.