If you’re someone who’s applying to colleges on a strict budget, fee waivers are a must. In its basic form, a fee waiver is something that a college can give you to, like it says in the name, waive the fee of submitting your application. Particularly if you’re applying to a bunch of private schools, application fees can be anywhere from $30 to $80, and that racks up quickly if you’re applying to a lot of schools. Therefore, fee waivers are incredibly helpful. 

The way to get them is pretty simple. You go onto a college’s website, find the email to contact the admissions office, and email them asking if they can give you a fee waiver for your application. Often they’ll just give it to you no questions asked. Sometimes they’ll ask for some proof of the fact that you need it, but that doesn’t happen often. Never be afraid to reach out and ask for help! These schools are more than willing to provide you with as much assistance as you need to apply to their programs.