Budgeting is an important factor to take into account from the beginning while applying to foreign universities. More often than not, applicants forget to add the cost of application to their budgeting. This is because students end up applying to various universities with high application feesand forget about universities that charge no application fees. Apart from this, applicants who fail to do proper research miss out on the opportunity to apply for an application fee waiver.
If you are an international student, even the application fee amount is generally higher for such applicants. Thus, alow application fee or a no-cost application process is important, and applying to US universities free of charge is a golden chance to achieve your dream of studying abroad. You will be glad to know that numerous top-ranked universities in the USA do not charge an application fee.
There are several reasons to study at the finest USA universities, like the multicultural environment, high academic standards and abundant opportunities the country has to offer to international students. However, this is one of the reasons why students apply to multiple USA universities all at once and offer bribes to their acceptance prospects in the form of application fees.
The worst is that after spending more than USD 1,000 (INR 77,648), students realise the significant amount of money they have gradually lost. One approach to save your money is to apply to a few US universities that charge no fee for application if you are targeting several universities at once.
As luck would have it, there are a number of universities in the USA that charge no application fees to which you can apply. Having said that, let us first understand what an application fee is and why universities charge an application fee.
Also Read:
Application Deadlines 2023-24 for Graduate Programs in US Universities |
What is an Application Fee?
Students commonly pay a college application fee when they apply to a university. It is mostly used to defray the costs of reviewing student applications. During these times, the admissions committee interviews students, replies to questions, and screens applicants. Universities also demand a fee to assess a student's sincerity in applying, because if a student withdraws after being accepted, the university will waste profitable time and money.
Why do Universities Charge an Application Fee?
To avoid getting hundreds of applications each year, universities charge an application fee. The application fee is imposed as a safeguard to guarantee that only serious applicants seek admission. Another rationale for the application fee is to fund the university's costs associated with the applicant screening procedure.
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Why Apply to US Universities Without Application Fee?
When you have already spent thousands of dollars on college, you might think it's silly to be concerned about a one-time expense of USD 100 or even less. Applying to a few universities with free applications may be a viable alternative while looking for safe institutions. If your prospective institutions charge application fees, having a low-cost backup plan in place might help you save money if things do not go as planned.
In other words, studying at a US university may be an expensive endeavour, and even applying to institutions can be expensive. The cost of standardised tests, the application fee, and travel fees for college visits are also considerations. You could have paid roughly USD 100 or more before you even arrive at the university. One way to alleviate this financial stress is to obtain an application fee waiver.
While application fees should be carefully considered, they should not be the deciding factor in your college selection. To get an accurate picture, consider things like school accreditation and non-refundable registration deposit expenses.
Also, do not be afraid to look elsewhere if a US university with no application fee does not meet your needs or does not provide the programmes or changes you need. Several colleges provide large grants and scholarships to aid with tuition costs. You should also consider asking for government financial assistance.
List of Universities in USA With No Application Fee
The prestige and educational standards provided by the university are a matter of worry when looking for USA universities that charge no application fee for international applicants. You do not have to worry about that because we have put together a table with such leading USA universities and colleges that do not charge an application below:
Name of the University |
Location |
Application Fee |
---|---|---|
Mount Holyoke College |
South Hadley, Massachusetts |
– |
Grinnell College |
Grinnell, Iowa |
– |
New Orleans, Louisiana |
Application is free, through the Common App. |
|
Wellesley College |
Wellesley, Massachusetts |
– |
Carleton College |
Northfield, Minnesota |
– |
Milwaukee School of Engineering |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
– |
Smith College |
Northampton, Massachusetts |
– |
Colby College |
Waterville, Maine |
– |
Trinity University |
San Antonio, Texas |
Application is free, through the Common App. |
Denison University |
Granville, Ohio |
– |
St. Louis, Missouri |
Application is free, through the Common App. |
|
Rhodes College |
Memphis, Tennessee |
– |
Bloomington, Illinois |
– |
|
Macalester College |
Saint Paul, Minnesota |
Application is free, through the Common App. |
Reed College |
Portland, Oregon |
– |
Kenyon College |
Gambier, Ohio |
– |
Greencastle, Indiana |
Application is free, through the Common App |
|
Des Moines, Iowa |
Online application is free |
|
Sewanee – The University of the South |
Sewanee, Tennessee |
– |
St. Olaf College |
Northfield, Minnesota |
Application is free, through the Common App |
The College of Wooster |
Wooster, Ohio |
Free online application |
Juniata College |
Huntingdon, Pennsylvania |
– |
Michigan Technological University |
Houghton, Michigan |
– |
Southwestern University |
Georgetown, Texas |
– |
Earlham College |
Richmond, Indiana |
Application is free, through the Common App |
Beloit College |
Beloit, Wisconsin |
– |
Centre College |
Danville, Kentucky |
– |
Dayton, Ohio |
– |
|
Hendrix College |
Conway, Arkansas |
Application is free, through the Common App |
Hampshire College |
Amherst, Massachusetts |
Application is free, through the Common App |
Hampden Sydney College |
Hampden Sydney, Virginia |
Application is free, through the Common App |
University of St. Thomas – Minnesota |
Saint Paul, Minnesota |
– |
Lexington, Kentucky |
Application is free, through the Common App |
|
Creighton University |
Omaha, Nebraska |
– |
Hillsdale College |
Hillsdale, Michigan |
Free online application |
Lewis and Clark College |
Portland, Oregon |
– |
New Mexico Military Institute |
Roswell, New Mexico |
– |
Presbyterian College |
Clinton, South Carolina |
– |
St. John’s College |
Annapolis, Maryland |
– |
United States Merchant Marine Academy |
Kings Point, New York |
– |
United States Military Academy at West Point |
West Point, New York |
– |
Hobart and William Smith Colleges |
Geneva, New York |
Free online application |
Lawrence University |
Appleton, Wisconsin |
– |
Waco, Texas |
Free online application |
|
Ursinus College |
Collegeville, Pennsylvania |
– |
Gustavus Adolphus College |
Saint Peter, Minnesota |
– |
Ohio Wesleyan University |
Delaware, Ohio |
Application is free, through the Common App |
What is the Average Application Fee Cost in the USA?
According to statistics from 936 universities compiled by US News, the average application fee in the USA is USD 44 (INR 3,416). On the other hand, 62 universities have application costs as high as USD 78 (INR 6,056) for each student.
The University of California, San Diego is first, with an application fee of USD 105 (INR 8,152), followed by Arkansas Baptist College, with an application fee of USD 100 (INR 7,764).
How to Apply to Universities in USA that Charge No Application Fee?
Admission to universities in the USA with no application fee is done through either a centralised application system or directly via the university's application portal. The application process for US universities that do not charge an application fee is very similar to those of universities that do charge an application fee.
Have a look at the following general steps for the application process of USA universities that charge no application fee:
- Step 1: Make a list of the institutions that offer the programme you prefer. Make sure that some of your alternatives include US universities that do not charge an application fee for overseas students.
- Step 2: Check the eligibility criteria at each university's official website to which you desire to apply, including no application fee status.
- Step 3: Check the program's current intakes and application deadlines.
- Step 4: Complete the online application, pay the application fee where necessary, and request an application fee waiver if necessary.
- Step 5: Along with your application, upload all required admission documents.
- Step 6: If you need financial assistance, apply for international student scholarships in the USA.
- Step 7: Keep track of your application status and wait for an admission decision. If you are accepted, you will hear back with an admission offer through email.
- Step 8: Once your application has been confirmed or accepted by the university, you can make preparations for your visa application. You should begin your visa application as soon as possible because it typically takes 60 days and involves a considerable stack of documents.
Note: Students must confirm their acceptance and submit the requisite tuition deposit within the deadline specified by the university on the offer.
Other Options for Saving Money on University Application Fees
If an online application does not provide results, you may request a fee waiver. This is typically given to students that require financial assistance. It does, however, have a set of requirements, which include:
-
Obtaining a fee waiver on the SAT or ACT scores.
-
Participating in a federal, state, or municipal initiative that helps low-income applicants.
-
Living in a foster home or other government-sponsored accommodation.
Using this information, incoming college students may successfully create a list of possible universities. Consider low-cost universities, free community colleges, schools that accept fee exemptions, or universities that do not charge application fees at all.
Do not let the price of an application keep you from attending a university that is a perfect choice for you. Almost definitely, you will end up regretting your decision afterwards. Likewise, you should avoid choosing universities that do not meet your requirements solely because they have lower application fees. Before applying, do your homework on universities and make an informed decision!
If you wish to study in the USA but are unsure about the admissions process and the field you want to study, call one of our study abroad experts at abroad@collegedekho.com. and avail of FREE help!
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