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If you are in the process of applying to college, you may have thought about using the Common App which is a convenient way to apply to multiple schools using one application portal. However, although the platform is free to use, each institute may charge its own application fee, which can make college applications expensive when applying to many schools. Some students may be eligible for a Common App fee waiver, which is designed to help students facing financial hardships and make the college application process more accessible regardless of income. This guide is here to provide you with the steps of how to apply for the Common App fee waiver if you are eligible.
Common App Fee Waiver: How To Apply
Eligibility Criteria
You are enrolled in or eligible to participate in the federal free or reduced-price lunch program (FRPL). You must enrol or be eligible for the FRPL. If your school provides free lunch to all students, you do not automatically qualify for a Common App fee waiver.
You have received or are eligible to receive an SAT or ACT fee waiver.
Your annual family income falls within the income eligibility guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.
Your family receives public assistance such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
You are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (e.g., GEAR UP, TRIO such as Upward Bound, etc.).
You live in federally subsidized public housing, a foster home or are homeless.
You are a ward of the state or an orphan.
You have received or are eligible to receive a Pell Grant.
You can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.
Your family has faced a sudden financial hardship, for example, a job loss or unexpected medical expenses.
How To Apply
Create an account on the Common App website. A guide to setting up a Common App account can be found here.
Click on the "Profile" section under the tab titled "Common App". Scroll down until you see a subsection called "Common App Fee Waiver" and click on it.
Answer "Yes" to the question asking you if you think you qualify for the fee waiver.
A drop-down menu will appear with options that align with the eligibility criteria. Tick the boxes for all criteria that apply to you. You need to select at least one criterion to be eligible.
You will need to type your full name in a box at the end as an e-signature.
If you are interested in receiving free virtual mentoring regarding the admission and financial aid application process, answer "Yes" to the question asking if you want to join Strive for College. If you do not want to be a part of this program, answer "No" to this question.
After you have done your part of the application, your school counsellor needs to verify the information you have provided on your fee waiver request.
You need to have at least one college on your account before you can invite recommenders, so ensure you have added at least one institute.
Go to "College List" then click on "My Colleges" and finally click on any college you have added to your list.
Once you have clicked on the college name, click on the "Recommenders and FERPA" tab on the left. FERPA stands for Family Education Rights and Privacy Act.
Click on "Complete Release Authorization" and read the information that pops up. Scroll down and click "I have read and understood the FERPA release authorization above", then click on "Continue".
Another popup titled "FERPA form" will show up. From there you will have the option to either waive or not waive your FERPA rights. This step is completely up to you, although it is recommended to waive your rights as colleges may see it as more professional to keep recommendation letters confidential. Sign your name, add the date, and then click "Save and close".
Once you complete the FERPA form, you will be able to add Counselors, Parents, Teachers, etc. Click on "Invite Counselor" and fill in their first name, last name, and email address.
Let your counselor know that you have invited them. Once they open your invitation on their Common App profile, they need to click on your name and then on the "Fee Waiver" option.
A drop-down menu will appear with options that align with the eligibility criteria. Your counselor needs to tick the boxes for all criteria that apply to you, which should ideally be the same as the boxes you ticked on your form. Your counsellor needs to select at least one criterion for you to be eligible.
We hope that this guide has provided you with a detailed overview of how to apply for the Common App fee waiver. Good luck with your college applications!
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