I can’t seem to find the answer to this question - can anyone help? I am employed but my husband is on medical disability. Does that mean that our family is on public assistance and that we qualify for fee waivers on the common app? Thanks!
Here are the Common Application FAQs (https://appsupport.commonapp.org/applicantsupport/s/ ) and if your question about fee waivers isn’t answered here, I would recommend contacting the Common Application’s support team.
If this is a school-specific fee waiver (select via the college tab, not a part of your general application,) you should check with the Admissions website or contact the Admissions Office about fee waiver eligibility. Some schools have forms available on their website that allow students to request fee waivers, or will accept fee waivers from the College Board, NACAC, Counselors etc.
Here’s an example of fee waiver eligibility for Brown (every school has different criteria though,) where I attend:
https://admission.brown.edu/ask/completing-application
“As part of our commitment to make a Brown University education accessible to students from all income backgrounds, Brown is making automatic application fee waivers available to more students. Brown will automatically waive the application fee for any student who is enrolled in or eligible for the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program (FRPL), as well as students who are enrolled in federal, state or local programs that aid students from low-income families (e.g. TRIO Programs). Additionally, Brown will automatically waive the application fee for any student who belongs to a Community Based Organization or College Access Organization that promotes educational opportunity for low-income students. Applicants to Brown who meet any of these requirements should select the “Brown Specific Fee Waiver” in the “Brown Questions” section of the Common Application. Brown will continue to honor fee waiver request forms from the College Board, NACAC, and school counselors.”
Hope that helps! Good luck with admissions!