US universities with application fee waivers to help you save cost

In 2023-2024, the US hosted more than 1.1 million international students from over 210 places of origin — a full 7% increase from the previous academic year.

Of that number, 298,705 were enrolling at a US university or college for the first time. And if you want to be a part of that number, you’ll know that it’s not a cost that can be easily covered.

Apart from tuition, you’ll also have to factor in other expenses such as visa and application fees. But what if we told you that certain US universities offer application fee waivers to help you save just a bit of hard-earned money? 

Depending on the institution and programme, these non-refundable application fees can cost anywhere between US$40 to US$275. Universities worldwide usually charge these fees to cover the administrative costs of reviewing and evaluating applications.

With the strengthening of the US currency against other currencies — especially those in developing nations — an application fee waiver could offer some financial respite and let you concentrate on what matters most: your studies and international student experience.

Don’t let the high cost of studying abroad dissuade you from doing it anyway — there are ways to get around it, such as finding universities with application fee waivers. Source: AFP

How to benefit from an application fee waiver

Request for an application fee waiver

Contact the programme coordinator or admissions team of your desired school to inquire if they would be willing to waive the application fee. Provide evidence of your lack of financial ability to support your request.

Early application

Early applications are open sometime between November and December of the year before you’re expected to begin your studies.

There are several perks that come with filing an early application, which include an application fee waiver and a higher chance of getting selected to be admitted from your programme of choice, notes Scholarship Region.

Common application

If you’re filing for the common application (Common App), you can request an application fee waiver from any common application school.

In your profile section, you must indicate whether you qualify for a fee waiver, and provide your reason accordingly.

Coalition application

Like the common application, you can also state your need to have your application fee waived when filing your application. You will be shown a list of Coalition App schools that will waive your application fees based on your selected answers.

If you’re eligible, your counsellor will receive your request for a fee waiver. The app will send their approval to the colleges you apply to.

Attend a university open day

You could be eligible for an application fee waiver when you attend — physically or virtually — a university open day or fair, so always be sure to check with the admissions team about this possibility.

Use a free code

Some universities give away free codes to a select number of students on their application websites, so keep your eyes peeled for them.

You have to keep your eyes on the prize — like that university with an application fee waiver — and shoot your shot. Source: AFP

US universities that offer application fee waivers

1. University of Houston

Located in Texas, the University of Houston welcomes students from more than 137 nations to join their choice of over 280 degree programmes.

Here, American freshmen can apply for the US$75 application fee waiver, and international students can get the US$90 waiver during the online applications.

2. Florida International University

Over in Florida, freshman applicants — local and international — to Florida International University can opt for a US$30 application fee waiver.

To be eligible, you must use an SAT or ACT fee waiver, and you’ll need to indicate the waiver on the Common App when submitting your application for the university.

3. Westminster University

One of the many best things about Westminster University is that there’s never an application fee — regardless of whether you’re a local or international student and if the application is through Common App or the standard Westminster Application.

Located in Utah, the university is ranked #2 for Best Value Schools and #12 for Best in the West by the US News & World Report 2024. 100% of first-year students in the 2023-2024 academic year too.

4. Pacific University Oregon

In the northwest, the top private research school, Pacific University Oregon, requires no application fee from applicants, no matter where they’re from.

Here, one in four of the university’s students are the first in their families to attend college — proof of the school’s commitment to providing value-for-money and quality education for all.

 

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5. Colorado School of Mines

The Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university —  a university classified as having the highest level of research activity — focused on applied science and engineering.

Here, domestic first-year applicants pay an application fee of US$50, and international applicants pay US$75. However, the fee can be waived either through the Common App or the Golden App. Fees are also automatically waived for veteran students.

6. Northeastern University

A one-of-a-kind global university system of 13 campuses around the world, Northeastern University is where you’ll find opportunities around every corner — including opportunities to get an application fee waiver.

Here, you’ll submit your application through the Common App or the Coalition App. While you will be prompted to pay the application fee of US$75, you can apply for the need-based fee waiver through both apps or the College Board and ACT or in a written request from a school official. 

 

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7. University of Rochester

Over at Rochester, New York, the University of Rochester is one of the smallest and most collegiate in character among the nation’s top research universities. Here, you’ll find yourself spoiled for choice through the university’s liberal arts education, research experience, and advanced degrees in music, medicine, business, education, and beyond.

Domestic and international students can opt out of the US$50 application fee by completing an online form to gain the waiver.

8. American University Washington, DC

Located in the best college town, according to the Princeton Review 2024, American University Washington, DC, offers over 80 bachelor’s degrees across six schools.

Better yet, the university believes that the inability to pay a college application fee should never be why a student doesn’t submit their application to American University. Therefore, qualifying families in need can apply without submitting the standard US$75 application fee.

Aside, only first-year international students applying for the AU Emerging Global Leader Scholarship and/or referred directly by EducationUSA or other non-government organisations may be eligible to receive an application fee waiver on a case-by-case basis.

Disclaimer: This article was last updated on December 10, 2024.