Universities in the US Without Application Fee

Applying to study abroad is an elaborate and expensive process. This is because along with filling out application forms for all the international universities, you also need to pay the application fee for each of them (unless you are on scholarship). Applying to 10 or more universities together may prove to be quite costly in that case. However, to ease the financial burden on international students, some universities in the US waive the application fee and other costs. This article highlights the names of US colleges that do not charge any application fee and help streamline the admission process.

Why Do Some US Institutions Waive the Application Fee?

Some popular US institutions decide to opt for complete elimination of the application fee for some of the following reasons:

• Increased access to education: When the application fee is removed, more students from diverse economic backgrounds can afford to apply to US institutions. 

• Wider talent pool: Most colleges in the US waive application fees to increase their pool of talent. In the absence of significant application costs, skilled and talented students from different financial backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

• Promote a sense of inclusivity: Applying to without application fee universities in the US helps encourage a sense of inclusivity and belonging among students in more remote and underprivileged parts of the world.

List of Universities in the US Without Application Fee

This section highlights some of the popular universities in the US without application fees and other costs involved in the admission process. As stated earlier, these  colleges encourage more international students to apply for higher studies in the US. IDP Education can help identify such institutions for you and also guide you on the application process to help you study in the US.

Institutions That Have Waived Application Fee For All Applicants

The table below lists at least 10 no-application-fee universities in the US with details of their rankings as per QS World University Rankings 2025, their location in the US, and the names of some of their popular programs for international students.

_{Related Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings?countries=us}

Institutions Offering Application Fee Waivers For Certain Groups

Some US institutions waive off application fee for certain groups of students. These include:

• Students from low-income or underprivileged backgrounds

• Veterans 

• Students receiving financial assistance from an organization or a fellowship 

• Students whose family’s annual income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines defined by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service

• Students enrolled in or eligible for enrolment in the federal free or reduced-price lunch program

The following table lists the US colleges offering application fee waivers for certain groups of students: 

_{Related Source: https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings?countries=us}

Application Process for US Colleges with No Application Fee

To apply to US universities without an application fee, follow the steps defined below:

• Choose the university that offers the program of your choice. Shortlist the ones that offer courses to international students after waiving the application fee.

• Once you have chosen the university, check for the eligibility criteria on its official portal and make sure that you meet those criteria. 

• Also, check for the admission requirements and the application deadline for the program you wish to apply to.

• Complete the application form for your preferred university online. Make sure that the application fee waiver applies to the university at the time of applying.

• Upload all the necessary supporting documents along with your application. The complete list is generally available on the official website of the university you are applying to.

• You can track the status of your application online. If approved, you will receive the Letter of Enrolment to confirm your acceptance. 

How to Get an Application Fee Waiver in US Colleges?

Some of the best ways to obtain an application fee waiver at US institutions are as follows:

• You can avail of popular platforms such as the Coalition App or the Common App. They offer application fee waivers to students after determining their eligibility for the same.

• You can get in touch with the admissions office of the university you wish to apply to and ask about the application fee waiver option (if applicable).

• Keep an eye out for in-person or online events conducted by various colleges periodically. They present waiver opportunities at these events.

FAQs About US Universities Without Application Fee

1. Can I apply to US educational institutions for free?

Yes, many US colleges offer application fee waivers to international applicants, who meet certain qualifying criteria.

2. Are application fee waivers common at public US institutions?

Some public colleges may offer application fee waiver options to eligible students. You will need to check with the specific institution whether or not you qualify for the waiver.

3. What are application fees and why do some institutions waive them?

Application fee refers to the cost that a university demands from student applicants at the time of applying to the specific university for admission. This cost generally covers the administrative cost involved in processing the application. Some colleges waive this fee to enable wider education access to students from diverse economic backgrounds around the world.

4. Which US university has the lowest fee?

Some of the lowest-fee US institutions are:

• Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville

• California State University-Fresno

• Florida International University

5. Can I apply to multiple institutions in the US without paying any fees?

Of course, you can apply to as many colleges that offer waiver of application fee options to international students, provided you meet the qualifying criteria.

6. Is there any disadvantage in applying to institutions that do not charge application fees?

There is generally no disadvantage; however, it may increase the volume of application load on the university, thereby making admission more competitive.

7. Are institutions without an application fee less competitive?

No, waiver of the application fee does not make a university less competitive. The determining factors are the rate of student acceptance by the university, its academic standards, and the quality of applicants received.

_{Updated on 27 January, 2025}