Savanna Hoffman
The Common Application, or Common App, is a one-stop shop for undergraduate applications to over 800 member colleges in the USA, as well as universities in Canada, China, and Europe. The Common App has a feature that allows students facing financial difficulties to apply for an Application Fee Waiver. This is available to both domestic and international students, as long as they meet certain criteria. These criteria include being enrolled in a federal free or reduced lunch program, having an annual family income within a specified low-income range, or being enrolled in a federal program for low-income families.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can apply for a fee waiver? | Both domestic and international students may apply for fee waivers. |
| Who is eligible for a fee waiver? | Students with financial constraints who meet at least one of the following criteria: enrolled in the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program, have an annual family income within a range specified by USDA and Nutrition Service as low-income, received or are eligible for an SAT or ACT fee waiver, are enrolled in a federal program for low-income families or receive public assistance, or live in subsidized public housing, under foster care, or are homeless. |
| How to apply for a fee waiver? | Students can request a fee waiver in the Profile section of the Common App. They must indicate whether they qualify for a fee waiver and select their reason. |
| What happens after submitting a fee waiver request? | The student's counselor will be prompted to approve the request. If the student has already received an SAT or ACT fee waiver, the counselor should be able to sign off on the request automatically. Otherwise, the student may need to provide supporting documentation, such as proof of income eligibility. |
| Are there any limits to the number of fee waiver requests? | NACAC recommends limiting fee waiver requests to four colleges. |
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What You'll Learn
International students can request a NACAC Application Fee Waiver Form
International students can indeed request a NACAC Application Fee Waiver Form. The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) offers application fee waivers to students with limited financial resources who are applying to college. This is to ensure equitable access to post-secondary education for undergraduate applicants with financial need.
International students who are first-time undergraduate applicants and can justify their economic need for a fee waiver are eligible to use the form. To do so, they should check the "Other Request" box in the Economic Need section and explain their financial barriers to paying the application fee. This form must be submitted directly to the college or university, and it is their decision to approve the fee waiver.
It is preferable that a high school counselor completes the Authorized Official section of the form. However, if a student's counselor is not a NACAC member, an independent counselor or community-based organization official can complete this section on their behalf, verifying the student's economic eligibility.
International students can also seek support from an EducationUSA advising center in their home country. These centers, supported by the US government, offer advice and assistance to international students interested in studying in the US. The EducationUSA Opportunity Funds program assists highly qualified students who are likely to receive full financial aid but lack the financial resources to cover upfront costs such as application fees.
Additionally, students can use both the NACAC and College Board fee waiver forms when requesting waivers. The NACAC form can be used at up to four colleges, and the SAT Fee Waiver can be used at a maximum of four separate colleges.
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International students can apply for a Common App fee waiver
Students with financial constraints can opt for an Application Fee Waiver, provided they satisfy one of the following criteria:
- Enrolled in the Federal Free or Reduced Lunch Program
- Annual family income falls within a range specified by the USDA and Nutrition Service as low-income
- Already received or is eligible for an SAT or ACT fee waiver
- Already enrolled in a federal program for low-income families or receives public assistance
- Lives in subsidised public housing, under foster care, or is homeless
International students may be eligible for college application fee waivers as long as they meet at least one of the above criteria. They can request a Common App Fee Waiver in the Profile section, indicating whether they qualify for a fee waiver and selecting their reason. International students can also use the NACAC fee waiver form, which is provided by the National Association for College Admission Counselling. To fill out the form, international students should check the "Other Request" box in the Economic Need section and explain their financial barriers to paying the application fee.
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SAT or ACT fee waiver eligibility
To be eligible for an SAT fee waiver, you must be a low-income 11th- or 12th-grade student in the U.S. or U.S. territories. If you are eligible, you can take the SAT for free and get other benefits.
To apply for a fee waiver, you can either talk to your school counselor or request a fee waiver directly from the College Board. If you choose the latter, you must review the eligibility criteria and read the Fee Waiver: Student Self-Identification resource for an overview of the process. It is recommended that you submit your request at least 1-2 weeks before the registration deadline and be prepared to share the contact information of an adult who can verify your eligibility. If you are homeschooled, you can request a fee waiver directly from the College Board, entering the school on your My SAT profile as AI 970000 (School Name: Home School).
Additionally, providing false information about your eligibility for a fee waiver may result in consequences such as a ban on your College Board student account and the cancellation of your scores if you have already taken the SAT.
Unfortunately, I could not find specific information on ACT fee waiver eligibility. However, it is likely that similar eligibility criteria and application processes are in place for fee waivers for this exam as well.
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Criteria for a fee waiver: family income
The Common App offers fee waivers to students who meet certain criteria, including those from low-income families. To request a fee waiver, students will need to indicate their reason for doing so in the "Fee Waiver" subsection of the "Profile" section of their application.
Students from low-income families can demonstrate their financial need by enrolling in a federal, state, or local program that aids students with financial difficulties, such as Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, or another TRiO program like GEAR UP. Additionally, students who are veterans or active members of the U.S. military can apply for a fee waiver.
If a student's financial situation does not fall into these categories, they can still request a fee waiver by providing a supporting statement. This statement can be self-written or come from a school official, such as a counsellor, principal, college access advisor, financial aid officer, or community leader. This statement should explain the student's financial hardship, including any recent changes in family income, the loss of a job, the passing of a family member, or unexpected expenses.
For high-achieving, low-income students, there is also the option to apply through QuestBridge, a non-profit organization that partners with selective and well-funded colleges to offer full four-year scholarships through their National College Match program.
It is important to note that the criteria for a fee waiver may vary, and students should refer to the specific requirements of the Common App and the institutions they are applying to for detailed information on income thresholds and other eligibility factors.
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Criteria for a fee waiver: enrolled in a federal program
Enrolling in a federal program is one of the criteria for a fee waiver. Students enrolled in federal programs such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or federal programs that aid students from low-income families (e.g. TRIO programs like Upward Bound) are eligible for fee waivers. This includes students enrolled in federal, state, or local programs that provide services to students from low-income families, such as the Educational Talent Search or other TRiO programs like GEAR UP.
The criteria for receiving a fee waiver through enrolment in a federal program are based on the specific program and the student's financial situation. For example, the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is available to low-income students in grades 11 and 12 who reside in the United States or its territories or are US citizens living abroad. To be eligible for a fee waiver under this program, a student's family income must fall within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
Similarly, the Upward Bound program, which is part of the TRIO suite of programs, is designed to support students from low-income families. To be eligible for a fee waiver under this program, students must meet the program's income criteria and be enrolled in a high school where they are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch.
It is important to note that the specific criteria and requirements for receiving a fee waiver through enrolment in a federal program may vary depending on the particular program and the institution offering the waiver. It is always advisable to check with the relevant institution or organization for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding fee waivers and their eligibility criteria.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students may apply for a fee waiver.
International students must justify their economic need. This can include meeting at least one of the following criteria:
- Enrolled in or eligible for the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program.
- Family income meets the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
- Enrolled in a program that aids students from low-income families.
- Already received or eligible for an SAT or ACT fee waiver.
International students can request a Common App fee waiver in their Profile section. They can also use the NACAC fee waiver form, specifying "Other Request" in the Economic Need section and explaining their financial barriers.
The student's counsellor or designated school official will be prompted to approve the request. If the student has already received an SAT or ACT fee waiver, the counsellor should be able to sign off on the request automatically. Otherwise, the student might need to provide supporting documentation, such as proof of income eligibility.
