Submit an application (form is available in Infinite Campus) for the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program. Even if you have no intention to use the the free or reduced lunch benefit, filing this application can qualify you to have many of your college-related fees waived. Click here for application instructions.
File for financial aid to help you pay for college. Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) between October 1 and December 1 of your senior year in order to qualify for the maximum amount of federal, state and college money for which you may be eligible. The student must be a citizen or permanent resident to submit a FAFSA but can file the Alternate Application for Illinois Financial Aid if ineligible to submit a FAFSA.
Before registering for an ACT, SAT or AP test, contact the Assessment Coordinator to obtain a fee waiver card/code in order to waive fees for test registration, sending scores to colleges or to submit the CSS Profile in the future. Even though you do not to pay to register for the state ACT that all juniors take in school, you should obtain an ACT fee waiver card/code to waive future expenses.
Colleges accept a universal fee waiver form certifying that you are approved for the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program or ACT/SAT fee waiver or if your family is experiencing a financial hardship. This form will allow you to avoid college application fees.
Answer the Fee Waiver Eligibility question when you set up your Schoolinks College Application Manager.
If you applied through Common App, indicate your request for a fee waiver in the Common App Fee Waiver section as well.
Your counselor will confirm your qualifications for a fee waiver and submit the required paperwork to the college