Can you get application fees waived on the Common App?

Money's tight and I heard you might be able to get a fee waiver for college apps. Does anyone know how you can get an application fee waived on the Common App? Is it a complicated process?

Absolutely, you can get application fees waived, and it's great that you're looking into this. The Common App offers fee waivers for students who meet certain criteria, such as qualifying for free or reduced lunch, being part of a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (like TRIO programs), or having family circumstances such as being homeless or in foster care, among others.

When you're filling out your Common App, you'll see a question that asks if you feel that your financial circumstances might qualify you for an application fee waiver; answer 'Yes' to this and then select the situation that applies to you. After that, your high school counselor will need to confirm your eligibility. This means you'll have to communicate with your counselor to ensure they sign off on it.

The process is relatively straightforward, and it's designed to help students who are facing financial hardships to have an equal opportunity to apply to college. Don't hesitate to reach out to your high school counselor for help with this process; they're there to support you through your college application journey. And remember, taking advantage of this fee waiver won't negatively impact your admissions chances, so if you're eligible, definitely use it.