20 US Universities and Colleges with Application Fee Waivers (2027)

Applying to US universities can be expensive, as application fees often cost $50 to $150 per school. The good news is that many universities offer application fee waivers. Here are 20 US universities, law schools and colleges where you may be able to apply for free.

Check eligibility first. Each waiver has its own rules. Some are only for US citizens or permanent residents, some are based on financial need, and some require you to attend an information session or open house. If you're an international applicant and a waiver doesn't cover you, email the department and ask; many programmes grant waivers on request.

PhD and master's programmes

1. Baylor University: PhD in Religion. Official page
2. University of Central Florida: College of Engineering and Computer Science (graduate). Official page
3. Boston University: Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (PhD and MFA). The central waiver is for US citizens and permanent residents who meet its criteria; international applicants should contact their programme directly. Requests must arrive at least five business days before the deadline. Official page
4. Columbia University: School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Waivers are linked to admissions events such as its Q&A sessions. Official page
5. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign: School of Information Sciences. Fee waiver form
6. Michigan State University: MFA Program. Official page
7. Florida International University: PhD in Clinical Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology. Official page
8. Georgetown University: MS in Physiology and Biophysics. Official page
9. University of Nebraska Omaha: MS in Computer Science. Official page
10. Goucher College: MA in Digital Communication. Official page
11. University of Pittsburgh: School of Social Work PhD. Official page

Law schools

12. Widener University Commonwealth Law School. Official page
13. Western State College of Law. Official page

Undergraduate and transfer

14. University of Rochester. For first-year and transfer applicants, including international students, who meet at least one of its financial criteria. Fee waiver form
15. The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). Linked to its open house days. Official page
16. California Institute of Technology (Caltech). For transfer applicants who are applying for financial aid and for whom the fee is a hardship. Official page
17. Ensign College. International admissions

Community colleges

Community colleges are a lower-cost way to start a US degree, and many students later transfer to a four-year university.

18. Grossmont College. International students
19. San José City College. International students
20. Kishwaukee College. How to apply

Tips for getting a fee waiver

• Read the conditions carefully and check whether international applicants qualify.
• Request the waiver early. Many schools need the request days or weeks before the application deadline.
• Attend virtual info sessions. Many US programmes give waivers to people who attend their online events.
• Just ask. A short, polite email to the graduate coordinator explaining your financial situation often works, even when no waiver is advertised.
• Remember the other costs. A fee waiver saves the application fee, but you may still need to pay for tests like the GRE, TOEFL or IELTS, and for sending transcripts.

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