Guidelines for paying later for college application fees?

I'm trying to budget my college applications, and I'm concerned about paying all the fees up front. Are there any ways to defer payment for application fees, or any schools that have more lenient policies?

Absolutely understand the concern, application fees can be quite hefty especially if you're applying to multiple schools. First, it's good to know that many colleges understand the financial burden these fees can pose and offer fee waivers for students with demonstrated financial need.

For instance, if you've received a fee waiver for the SAT or ACT, you're automatically eligible for college application fee waivers. You can request these fee waivers directly through the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or the Universal College Application. In your account, there will be a question about your eligibility for a fee waiver - if you indicate 'Yes', you'll have to provide some details about your financial situation to qualify.

Moreover, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC) offers fee waivers that are accepted by hundreds of colleges. They're available for students who meet certain income eligibility guidelines.

However, if you're not eligible for these waivers, colleges do tend to mandate that the application fee is paid when you submit your application. This is because the fee often covers administrative costs of processing your application. It's best to reach out to the admission offices of the colleges you're interested in to discuss further.

On another note, some colleges - like Loyola University Chicago - don't charge an application fee at all. So, researching such institutions might be a viable strategy. Planning ahead and saving gradually for these costs can also help alleviate the financial stress. Lastly, prioritize your list of colleges keeping track of their application fees, so that your budget can be managed effectively.