I'm worried about the cost of the SAT because I might want to take it a couple of times to get my best score. I heard there's a fee waiver or something that might let you take it for free under certain conditions. Can someone clarify how many times you can actually take the SAT for free if you're eligible for a fee waiver? Also, what are the eligibility criteria for this? I'm trying to make sure I plan everything out financially, so any details would be super helpful!
Yes, you're correct—under specific conditions, the College Board does offer SAT fee waivers, which allow eligible students to take the SAT for free. Eligibility for a fee waiver is typically based on financial need; if you're in the United States and part of a low-income family, enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families, or if you're eligible for free/reduced-price lunch, among other criteria, it's likely you will qualify for a waiver.
Specifically, the College Board provides up to two SAT fee waivers, which means you can take the SAT two times for free. But that's not all, the fee waivers also cover the expense of sending score reports to colleges (up to four times) and can waive the application fees for select colleges.
To access a fee waiver, you will need to speak with your school counselor, who can provide you with the necessary waiver code if you meet the eligibility criteria. Be sure to start this conversation well ahead of registration deadlines to ensure you have everything in place on time. Happy studying!
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