How to deal with the college application fee?

The college application fees are adding up for me, and I'm on a tight budget. Are there any strategies to reduce or waive these fees? Has anyone successfully used fee waivers, and what was the process like?

Sure, I can assist with this. Several colleges and universities offer fee waivers to students who demonstrate financial need. The application fees can be a significant hurdle for many students, and most admission offices are understanding of this.

There are some ways you can approach this:

1. College Board Fee Waivers: If you used a fee waiver for the SAT or ACT, you would automatically qualify for college application fee waivers. You should receive four waivers that you can use when applying to colleges.

2. NACAC Fee Waivers: The National Association for College Admission Counseling provides a form for you to request fee waivers if you can demonstrate financial need. They have a list of eligibility guidelines on their website.

3. Common App Fee Waivers: If you’re applying via the Common Application, you can request a fee waiver directly in the application. There is a section for this in your profile. There, you'll be asked to answer a series of questions to verify your eligibility, but ultimately, your high school counselor will be the one to confirm your eligibility.

4. Contact the Admissions Offices: Some colleges have their process for fee waivers. Contact the admissions offices of the colleges you're interested in and ask about application fee waivers, their eligibility criteria, and the process.

Remember, you'll need to provide some proof of your financial need in these cases. Also, don’t be hesitant to ask colleges directly for a fee waiver if you believe you’re in a pinch financially. Admissions representatives are usually willing to work with prospective students to ensure the application fees are not a barrier to applying. After all, they want a diverse and talented student body, and they understand that the application fee can pose a hardship for some families.

Just keep in mind everyone's process might vary slightly depending on their circumstances and the policies at each school. Good luck with your applications!