Hello. A quick question about application waivers.
I have a twin, and it’s difficult for our family to pay for college for the both of us.
My family makes about 75,000 a year (aka too much) and we no longer qualify for government benefits. Last year, we were able to get free lunch and SAT fee waivers, but that was before my father’s income became more stable. I wondering if we qualify for application waivers for that reason even though we make too much this year?
I dont know the answer but thought I’d mention it’s possible that with $75k income, minimal savings and two in college you’ll each get a small Pell grant.
Have you tried a FAFSA EFC calculator?
Is your dad self-employed?
What are your stats and home state?
Your GC has to approve common app fee waivers and may do so based on the previous year, but i think probably not.
However, you are free to ask colleges directly if they can give you one.
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/applying-101/college-application-fee-waivers
As far as I know if you qualified for SAT fee waiver last year you should have four application fee waivers available to use when you sign in to your collegeboard account.
You should also be able to send four free score reports.
@Madison85, I have used a EFC calculator, but me and my family have no clue how it works. Our EFC is apparently around $2,954. I have an older sister goes to college, and apparently the amount of Cal Grant she recieves is enough to pay her entire tuition (She goes to CSU Northridge).
I live in California and my dad is not self-employed.
My stats, since you asked:
3.4 Unweighted, 3.8 Weighted; I’ve taken six AP classes and my grades have an upward trend since Freshmen year
1870 SAT
Involved in tennis, leader in choir and a club that I started, active tutor, and 200 hours of community service
@mommdc, Do you know where I can check for that? I’ve checked all over the website and my email, and I wasn’t able to find anything.
https://satresourcecenter.collegeboard.org/college-application-fee-waivers
I found this
Did you make a Collegeboard account when you registered for SAT or checked your scores?
What year is your sister in college (undergrad)? Three in college at the same time helps lower your EFC.
You can also directly asked the schools to waive the fee. Many will if you just ask. You’d still have to pay for the scores to be sent but it will save you quite a bit not to have to pay $40-75 per school. Also, choose your schools carefully. Don’t just apply to every school you think you might want to go to. Do some investigating.
@Madison85, She’s currently in her fifth year. My parents are really hoping that’s the case lol.
@mommdc, There’s only two notification reminding me to sign up for another test and to send my scores to colleges. I guess I didn’t qualify. Thanks for the help anyway 
@twoinanddone, I’ll keep that in mind. Is there a particular way I should ask? Without sounding too “beggy”?
You can just ask, or you can ask if they have any way to get the fee waived, like applying directly or online. The school my daughter attends accepts the common app, but you have to pay the fee. If you apply online directly to the school, it’s free. Other daughter goes to a school that has a free application period in July.
There is no issue with just asking them. All they can say is no.
I agree. My D applied to one school for free because we visited and the other one they were sending emails saying that the app fee was waived if one applied online by a certain date. She got several emails from other schools mentioning free apps. Also one school accepted the scores to be included with the transcript by the high school.
This link is also helpful, it lists colleges that accept fee waivers, but they also show some that are FREE to apply to, check the list.
I don’t know what happened and why you have no app fee waivers available in your account. Did you follow all the steps on how to access them? You could call and ask Collegeboard customer service.
Also if you and your twin don’t work right now, it might be a good idea to get a part time job and also work this summer because there will be lots of expenses coming up with two in college.