Universities In The USA With App Fee Waiver & No Application Fee

Budgeting is essential for US college students. Top-ranked US universities provide high-quality education. Quality education often costs more. This applies from the application stage in the US.

Depending on the university and program, US university applications cost $40 to $150. Applicants to 10-12 universities often spend $1000–$1500 on applications alone! Applying to universities that waive application fees can help offset these expenses.

Studying in the US is expensive. Although a few hundred dollars in application fees may seem minor, you must manage your resources.

If you wish to apply to several US universities (ambitious/moderate/safe), shortlist several with foreign student application cost waivers.

A institution waives or reduces its application cost for prospective students. This post covers top universities that waive application fees and the requirements.

List of Universities with Application Fee Waivers in the USA

The following is a list of reputed universities in the USA, which offer app fee waivers for international students:

• Harvard University
• Yale University
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Northeastern University
• Colarado State University

Harvard University

The first name on the list – An Ivy League university, the dream institute for many an aspirant!

A top 10 ranked university (Btw, #5 on the QS World University Rankings 2023).

You can also get a fee waiver from Harvard University!

For applicants from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, Harvard Business School waives the application fee. HBS will require you to complete a waiver form in which you must provide your income details as well as your reasons for obtaining a need-based fee waiver.

Include details about your income, financial holdings, school debt, family obligations, and/or any other situations that may justify a fee waiver.

Harvard College has a similar fee waiver scheme for undergraduate students, which can waive the entire application fee.

Yale University

The second Ivy League school on this list, and yes, another top 20 worldwide university!

The Yale School of Management at Yale University offers fee waivers on a sliding basis. It means that the Yale application fee would be determined by your or your family’s present earnings.

The regular application fee for the School is $250. The application fee is $175 for those earning less than $30,000 per year. It is $125 for those earning less than $15,000 per year.

For the School of Arts and Sciences at Yale, fee waivers may be granted on the basis of:

• Participation in a special program, event, fellowship, or status
• Documented financial hardship

Undergrad students also get an opportunity to avail of a full application waiver of $80. This benefit is extended provided it constitutes a significant financial burden for your family.

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)

International applicants can get fee waivers at Carnegie Mellon University, a top 100 university. Applying to the School of Computer Science requires:

Get a financial aid letter with a brief explanation of your financial need and supporting documents.

CMU will confirm your need and waive application fees for two programs after submission.

For the Master of Software Engineering Program, the Software and Societal Systems Department waives fees as needed.

Your application will receive a coupon number or waiver from the university department after confirmation. This may take 3-5 business days.

Northeastern University (NEU)

Northeastern University in Boston waives the $75 application fee for undergraduate students who express financial need.

NEU, like many other universities, looks at petitions for fee waivers based on financial necessity. If you come from a low-income family, NEU provides an excellent opportunity for you to apply without having to pay the full tuition.

In addition, to promote additional applicants to graduate programs, the university offers waivers on specified days. For example, it ran the PI da.

Colorado State University

Fee waivers from Colorado State University are not limited to financial hardship.

The Graduate School at Colorado State University waives fees for applicants who can demonstrate program or partnership . American Indian Science and Engineering Society, International Research and Exchanges Board, etc.

A fee waiver doesn’t affect your application either. It neither speeds nor slows your trip. The quality of your profile determines your prospects. Strong profiles increase admission chances.

Here are the list of universities with no application fees in the USA:

• Michigan Technological University
• Milwaukee School of Engineering
• University of Dayton
• Saint Louis University
• Trinity University
• Saint Louis University
• Drake University
• St. Lawrence University

Please review the university’s admissions page for eligibility and application instructions before applying.

Most universities charge huge application fees since they have many international candidates. A large applicant pool requires more work from the admissions team to locate the top candidates.

US universities prefer to accept only interested students to reduce their workload and discourage excessive applications. Be selective and apply to universities that match your profile.

Application Process for Universities with App Fee Waivers:

The application process for universities that waive app fees is the same. Submit your application through the university’s application portal or the common application (for undergraduate admissions). Need-based application exemptions may require additional data on the regular application form.

A second form may be required for some applications. For university officials to evaluate your application, you must usually attach documentation.

Below are the general processes for applying to US universities without application fees:

• Shortlist the universities that offer your desired program. Make sure some of your options include US universities with no application fee for international students.
• Visit the official website of all universities you wish to apply to, including free application fee universities in the USA and check the eligibility criteria.
• Check the available intakes and application deadlines for your chosen program.
• Complete the online application and submit the application fee wherever applicable, and request for an application fee waiver if required at universities in America without the application fee.
• Upload all supporting documents for admission along with your application.
• Apply for international student scholarships, if you wish to avail of financial aid.
• Track the status of your application and wait for the admission decision.
• If accepted, you will receive the offer for admission via email.
• Make sure you confirm your acceptance within the deadline specified on the offer and submit the tuition deposit.

Other Costs Involved in the Application Process

Before finishing regarding US colleges offering application price waivers for international students, let’s address additional application costs.

Pre-arrival fees are out-of-pocket and cannot be covered by financial aid when determining the cost of studying in the US. Visa processes, entrance tests, health insurance, travel, and other fees are incurred before admission to any US university.

Check  below for other university admission application fees in the US.

Expenses and Average Cost

• English Language Test Fees – TOEFL: $195
• GRE fees – $228
• GMAT fees – $275
• SAT fees – $103
• ACT fees – $66 – $91
• Visa processing fees – $185
• SEVIS fees – $350
• Health insurance – $700 – 1100
• Airfare (one way) – $600 – 700

While you should explore universities in the United States that provide application cost waivers, make sure you are not limiting your options. Consider spending a bit extra at the application stage if it helps you get into a better university.