Fee waivers for study applications

Before you pay any fee

• Almost everything on Qualify is free to apply for. A listing that charges says the fee plainly on its card, and is listed only because what it gives is worth far more.
• A waiver is asked of the organisation itself: the university, the test or the programme. Nobody should charge you to get one. Someone who asks for money to get you a waiver is a sign of a fake.
• Ask before you pay. Many universities have their own waiver and only say so when asked.

Waivers you can get

Common App fee waiver

Run by: Common App

What it waives: The application fee at each college that accepts it, when you apply to US colleges through Common App.

Who can get it: Its list of qualifications is mostly about US programmes, but one is open to anyone: a supporting statement from a school official, college access counsellor, financial aid officer or community leader. Common App says international students may be eligible, and that each college has its own policy: some accept the waiver only for US students, some accept none, and some offer their own waiver instead.

How to ask: In your Common App account, open Profile, then Common App fee waiver, read the requirements and sign to confirm you are eligible. Then check each college's own policy in the app or on its website.

Read on its own page on 27 September 2026.

Duolingo English Test Access Program

Run by: Duolingo English Test

What it waives: The test fee. Its page says eligible students can take the test at no cost.

Who can get it: Low-income students. The waiver is requested for you by a university you are applying to, or by a teacher, counsellor or adviser who supports you.

How to ask: You do not apply for it yourself. Ask the admissions office of the university you are applying to, or your school counsellor, to request a Duolingo English Test fee waiver for you.

Read on its own page on 27 September 2026.

EducationUSA Opportunity Funds

Run by: EducationUSA, US Department of State

What it waives: The up front costs of applying to US colleges: testing, application fees, and airfare. Its page names these costs.

Who can get it: Highly qualified students who are likely to be awarded full financial aid by a US college, but cannot pay the costs of applying. Each student is chosen by an EducationUSA adviser, a regional manager and the US embassy or consulate.

How to ask: Contact your nearest EducationUSA centre. The Accra centre's page says you apply when you join its cohort group, and to contact its advisers for details.

Read on its own page on 27 September 2026.

Cambridge Judge Business School application fee waiver

Run by: Cambridge Judge Business School, University of Cambridge (UK)

What it waives: The application fee. Its page says eligible applicants do not need to pay it and do not need to complete a fee waiver form. The page sits under the school's degree programmes and does not list which programmes it covers.

Who can get it: Nationals of the countries on the page's list who have lived there since birth. The page says the list is of least developed countries and those affected by conflict or humanitarian crises. It names 51 countries, 32 of them in Africa, such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, Senegal and Rwanda. Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa are not on it.

How to ask: You do not ask and you do not fill in a form. Check your country on the list on its page. For anything else, the page says to contact the programme you want.

Read on its own page on 10 October 2026.

Asking a university yourself

Common App's own page says colleges may offer their own fee waivers. Write to the admissions office before you pay. A message to copy and change:

Dear Admissions Office,

I am applying to [programme] for [intake]. I would like to apply, but I cannot pay the application fee of [amount]. [One sentence on why, for example: my family's income is low and the fee is more than a month of it.]

Do you offer an application fee waiver, and how do I ask for one? If you need a letter from my school or a community leader, I can send it.

Thank you,
[Your full name]
[Your email and phone]

Waivers only some people can get

Each one says who can ask. They are shown so you do not spend time on one that is not for you.

• GRE Fee Reduction Program (ETS). For financial need it is limited to US citizens or resident aliens who are college seniors or unenrolled graduates. If you are neither, it is not open to you. Its page, read on 27 September 2026.