How do school-specific fee waivers work?

I was reading about college application fees and came across something called a 'school-specific fee waiver'. I'm a little confused about how it works. How can I apply for these fee waivers for the colleges I want to apply to?

School-specific fee waivers are waivers granted by individual colleges to cover the cost of their application fee. Each college has its own process and eligibility criteria for granting fee waivers, so it's essential to research each school's specific requirements and guidelines. Here's a general outline of the steps to apply for school-specific fee waivers:

1. Check your eligibility: Common criteria for receiving fee waivers include financial hardship, participation in free or reduced-price lunch programs, or being part of certain organizations like TRIO, Upward Bound, or AVID. Make sure you qualify for a fee waiver according to each college's criteria.

2. Research each college's fee waiver process: Visit the admissions or financial aid section of the college's website for detailed information about their fee waiver process. Some schools may use the same waiver forms used by common application platforms like the Common App, Coalition App, or the Universal College Application, whereas others may have their own forms or request a letter from a counselor or a parent/guardian.

3. Collect the necessary documentation: You may need to provide evidence of your eligibility for a fee waiver. This could include documents such as tax returns, statements of income, or a letter of eligibility for free or reduced-price lunch programs.

4. Complete and submit the fee waiver request: Fill out any required forms, attach the necessary documentation, and submit your request to the college either through the application platform (e.g., Common App, Coalition App) or directly to the college by email or mail, depending on their preferred process.

5. Follow up and confirm: After submitting your fee waiver request, check your application portal or contact the college's admissions office to confirm your waiver has been received and approved. Don't submit your application until you have confirmation that your request has been granted to avoid being charged the application fee.

Keep in mind that applying for fee waivers might take some time, so it's a good idea to start this process well in advance of the application deadlines. Additionally, don't forget to look into the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) fee waiver and the College Board's SAT fee waiver, which can also help to cover application fees at many colleges.