I just received an application fee waiver from Northeastern in the mail as “a reward for my hard work”. I do not qualify for any need-based aid, so how was I chosen for this? More importantly, does this indicate a higher chance of being accepted? Thank you!
It means the school wants to increase its number of applications. My S received several of these. They may target students with test scores that are at a certain level, or it might be random. I don’t know if you can read anything further into it.
Exactly so- it is a marketing effort, like getting a coupon in the mail. If NE bought your name from CollegeBoard it likely indicates that your SAT score is in a range they like- that’s easy to check by looking up the common data set for NE & seeing how your stats compare.
It’s not a bad sign, but don’t put too much weight on it either.
One of our local private universities offers a fee waiver to anyone attending their large open house events
DS does not qualify for any FA (we are not even doing FAFSA) and he has been receiving fee-waiver offers, they mean nothing in terms of your chances of getting in, but if it is from a school that you like and fit you well, why not apply?
Saving a$30 application fee while paying $50,000 a year for tuition isn’t a very good value 
@coolguy40 $30 application fee? Maybe 30 years ago. Application fees are $75-$80 nowadays.
My daughter got two, one from a school ranked around 40 and one from a school ranked around 70 nationally. She had shown interest by visitIng both, though dropped the first off her list after visiting. Because of the waiver, and because the supplemental essay was optional, she just sent in an application (with no supplement) to the second when she did her early app. They gave her an offer, with a merit award. So in that case… I would guess the waiver meant something.