If you plan to pursue higher education in the United States, budgeting is very important. The United States (US) is known for its high quality of education with top-ranked universities. But, quality education often comes with an additional cost. And in the US, this is true from the application stage itself.
Applications to universities in the US can range anywhere from $40 to $150, depending on the university and the program. If you apply to 10-12 universities, you’re easily looking at spending a whopping $1000 to $1500 in applications only! One way to offset this cost is to apply to universities which offer an application fee waiver (or don’t charge any application fees).
Why Look for Universities in the USA with an App Fee waiver?
Studying in the USA requires a considerable financial commitment. Although a few hundred dollars in application fees may appear a small expense, you must take efforts to keep your finances in check.
If you want to apply to a number of universities (ambitious/moderate/safe), it’s a good practice to shortlist some US universities with application fee waivers for international students.
An application fee waiver (also known as an app fee waiver) is a cancellation or reduction in the application fee provided by a university to potential candidates.
In this article, we’ll cover 5 leading universities where you can get an app fee waiver and the criteria required.
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
- Case Western Reserve University
- Dension University
- Southwestern University
- Michigan Technological University
- Milwaukee School of Engineering
- University of Dayton
- Saint Louis University
- Trinity University
- Saint Louis University
- Drake University
- St. Lawrence 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), the alma mater of the who’s who - Susan Wojcicki (CEO of YouTube), Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and more.
You weren’t expecting this, right? 😊
Harvard University gives you a chance to avail of a fee waiver too!
Harvard Business School offers a fee waiver for applicants from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. HBS will ask you to fill up a waiver form where you have to share your income information along with reasons for requesting a need-based fee waiver.
You may wish to include information about your income, financial assets, educational debt, family obligations, and/or any circumstances that may warrant a fee waiver.
Undergraduate students at Harvard College have a similar fee waiver program, which can waive the entire application fee.
Yale University
The 2nd Ivy League institution on this list and yes, another top 20 globally ranked university!
Yale University’s Yale School of Management uses a sliding scale method to offer fee waivers. It means that the Yale application fee would be based on your or your family’s current compensation.
The School’s standard application fee is $250. For applicants earning $30,000 a year or less, the application fee is $175. For applicants earning $15,000 a year or lower, it is $125.
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)
Carnegie Mellon University, a global top 100 university, also offers fee waivers for international aspirants. For applying to the School of Computer Science, you will have to:
Obtain a financial aid letter, including a brief description of your financial need, and any documentation to support your request.
After submission, CMU will confirm your need and waive application fees for up to two programs.
The Software and Societal Systems Department also provides fee waivers (need-based) for the Master of Software Engineering Program.
Once the university department confirms the need, it will provide a voucher code for your application or a complete waiver. This process may take up to 3-5 business days.
Northeastern University (NEU)
Northeastern University, Boston offers a need-based application fee waiver for the $75 fee for undergraduate students.
Like a lot of universities, NEU also considers applications for fee waivers based on need. If you are from a financially disadvantaged background, NEU offers a great chance for you to apply without shelling out the entire amount.
Additionally, the university also offers waivers on specific days to encourage more applications across graduate programs. For instance, it ran the PI da.
Colorado State University
Colorado State University offers fee waivers based on multiple criteria and not just financial hardships.
The Graduate School at Colorado State University offers fee waivers to applicants who can demonstrate participation in or affiliation with specific programs and/or partnerships. These could include the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, International Research and Exchanges Board, and so on.
Applying through a fee waiver also doesn’t affect your application in any way. It neither expedites nor slows down your journey. Your chances are directly related to the merit of your profile. If your profile is strong enough, your chances of admission are higher.
List of Universities with No Application Fees in the USA
There are some universities which do not require international students to pay an application fee. Yes, you read it right!
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
As you begin your application process, please check the admissions page of the specific university for exact details on the eligibility and application process.
Also, most universities would charge a high amount on application fees as they get a lot of applicants across the globe. A large pool of applicants means more effort from the admissions team to find out the best applicants.
To reduce their burden and dissuade bulk applications, universities in the US prefer handing an opportunity to interested students only. Hence, it is advisable to be choosy and apply to the universities which match closely with your profile.
Application Process for Universities with App Fee Waivers:
The application process for universities which offer app fee waivers is similar to the usual procedure. Your application should be sent through the university’s application portal or the common application (the latter, in the case of undergraduate admissions). There may be some fields to be filled up in the main application form, especially in the case of need-based application waivers.
In a few cases, a separate form may have to be filled up as part of the application process. Usually, it will also involve attaching documentation for the university authorities to evaluate your application.
Take a look at the general steps of the application process for universities in the USA without application fee discussed below:
- 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 concluding the discussion about US universities with application fee waivers for international students, let us understand the other costs involved in the application process.
While estimating the cost of studying in the USA, you cannot miss out on the pre-arrival expenses as these are strictly out of pocket, and no financial aid can help you cover these expenses. These expenses can be related to visa processing, entrance tests, health insurance, travel etc. and are incurred even before you get admission to any university in the USA.
Take a look at the table below to learn about other costs involved in the application process for admission to universities in the USA.