• If you took the ACT and used an ACT fee waiver, eligibility Requirements: https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/FeeWaiver.pdf

• College Application Fee Waiver Request Form: https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/RequestForWaiverForm.pdf

If you took the SAT and used a SAT fee waiver, access waivers from your College Board account.

Waivers will be available senior year, after you’ve received your scores (up to 4 compuses):

• Details here: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/k12-educators/fee-waivers/college-application

• College Application Fee Waiver FAQs: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/plan-for-college/apply-to-college/college-application-fee-waiver-faq 

• Search for schools that accept this fee waiver here (not accepted for CSU): https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/help-center/do-all-colleges-accept-application-fee-waivers

When you apply for admission to the CSU through Cal State Apply, you are considered for an application fee waiver based on the information requested in the application.

• Access waivers through Cal State Apply application (for up to 4 campuses)

• CSU does not accept any other fee waivers.

• If you do not qualify through the Cal State Apply website, the only other option is to fill out the fee waiver appeal form and turn it into each CSU campus they want to apply to. Those waivers will only be accepted if there is a change in their family's financial situation. The form can be found on the Cal State Apply website here.

The UC Application Center handles the UC application payment and fee waiver requests. Please click here for more information about fee waivers. UC will continue to waive application fees for up to four campuses for qualifying students. The online fee waiver is found within the UC application and uses the applicant’s family size and income to determine eligibility. During the payment process, the UC application will notify the student of their eligibility and allow them to apply the waiver.

If an applicant received a fee waiver from an outside source (e.g., NACAC) or is requesting a fee waiver based on changes in current financial circumstances, they should indicate that they will “pay fees by mail” and submit the external fee waiver in lieu of payment for four campuses by email to the UC Application Center at ucinfo@applyucsupport.net. External fee waivers and requests for UC fee waivers can be submitted after filing the UC application.

Fee waivers from different sources cannot be combined to cover application fees for more than four campuses. Fee waiver requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. UC’s application fee waiver program is for United States citizens, permanent residents and applicants eligible for AB540 benefits who meet the annual Income Eligibility Guidelines.

For further assistance: 1-800-207-1710, UCinfo@applyUCsupport.net

General info about the NACAC Fee waivers (up to 4 campuses):

https://www.nacacfairs.org/learn/fee-waiver/

We make it easy for students to receive application fee waivers in one short step. Simply check any boxes that apply to you in the Fee Waiver section of the application profile on Scoir, and you’ll be able to discover schools that will waive your application fees. We don’t require any additional documentation or verification.

Details here: https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/fee-waiver

Common App colleges want to make sure that application fees do not pose a barrier for any student who wishes to apply for admission. If you feel that your financial circumstances might qualify you for an application fee waiver, you can request a fee waiver in the Common App fee waiver section in the profile section.

Details here: https://appsupport.commonapp.org/applicantsupport/s/article/What-do-I-need-to-know-about-the-Common-App-fee-waiver 

How do I get a Common App fee waiver?

You can use the Common App Fee Waiver section of your Profile to request a fee waiver. If you select that you are eligible for the Common App fee waiver, you will not be charged any application fees when you submit through Common App.

Your MHHS Counselor will be asked to complete a fee waiver form to affirm your request for a fee waiver.

$20 to apply to over 50 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/ 

Some schools waive fees if you:

• Attend a campus visit or virtual info session
  
  

• Apply early (Early Action/Early Decision)
  
  

• Are recruited for certain programs or majors
  
  

• Ask politely! You can email the admissions office.  Sample email below...

Subject: Request for Application Fee Waiver

Dear [Admissions Officer’s Name] or Admissions Office,

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Full Name], and I am a senior at Mission Hills High School, preparing to apply to [University Name] for the Fall [Year] term.

I am writing to respectfully request an application fee waiver. While I am very eager to apply to [University Name], the cost presents a financial challenge for my family. I would be sincerely grateful for any assistance or guidance you could provide regarding the fee waiver process.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Please let me know if there are any forms or supporting documents I should submit to complete my request.

Warm regards,
[Your Full Name]
Mission Hills High School
San Marcos, CA
[Your Email Address]

You’d be surprised how often they say yes!

Use college search databases with filters

Some platforms actually let you filter for “no application fee.”

• Common App: Once you create an account, use the search tool — it shows which schools have waived fees.
  
  

• Niche > College Search > Admissions Process > No Application Fee

Look for automatic fee waivers

Some schools always waive fees, especially smaller private colleges and public universities trying to boost applications.

Watch for “Free Application Weeks”

Many states or university systems have free-application weeks (especially in October/November).

Examples:

• North Carolina Countdown to College Week
  
  

• Minnesota State Week
  
  

• Indiana College Application Week
  
  

They promote these on their education department websites — worth setting a reminder to check around late fall.