Universities in USA With No Application Fee

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Mrunmayai Bobade
Updated on May 01, 2023 05:47 PM IST

Many students forget to factor in the significant expense of application fees and end up spending more than their estimated budget while targeting several US universities at once. One smart way to apply to US universities is to check which universities do not charge an application fee. Let us check some of these universities.

Universities in USA with No Application Fee

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.

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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

Tulane University

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

SLU – Saint Louis University

St. Louis, Missouri

Application is free, through the Common App.

Rhodes College

Memphis, Tennessee

Illinois Wesleyan University

Bloomington, Illinois

Macalester College

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Application is free, through the Common App.

Reed College

Portland, Oregon

Kenyon College

Gambier, Ohio

DePaul University

Greencastle, Indiana

Application is free, through the Common App

Drake University

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

University of Dayton

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

Transylvania University

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

Baylor University

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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FAQs

Do all the universities in USA charge an application fee?

No, all the universities in the USA do not charge an application fee. However, a few universities charge a higher application fee to minimise obtaining thousands of apathetic applications each year. Some universities, on the other hand, do not charge any application fee to international students who apply for admission using their online platform.

Why should I apply for no-fee universities in the USA?

You should apply for no-fee universities in the USA because you can target your desired universities all at once. There are numerous advantages to applying to multiple USA universities. It includes ensuring admission to where acceptance is likely, finding the right match, and comparing financial aid packages to determine which institution is within your budget.

How much is the application fee for USA universities?

Approximately USD 45 or above are the average application fees for US universities. As per US News & World Report 2022, out of 889 ranked universities, the average application price is USD 45. On the other hand, most prestigious US universities charge USD 75 as an application fee for international students.

What is an application fee waiver?

In simple terms, a university that charges an application fee can waive off or cancel the application fee payment if the applicants meet certain requirements. An application fee waiver is offered to those students who are unable to pay the application fee at a particular university. However, there is no single policy that applies to all universities. Application fee waiver policies differ depending on the university and students’ financial background.

How to get an application fee waiver for USA universities?

To get an application fee waiver for USA universities, you must meet at least one of the following specifications:

  • Your family receives government aid or welfare payments.

  • Your household income is within the range specified on the university's website.

  • You are eligible for an SAT/GMAT/GRE waiver.

Do note that certain exceptional conditions would be unique to each university.

Are there any other ways to apply to USA universities with no application fee?

Yes, there are many other ways to apply to USA universities with no application fee like submitting an early application. However, this is not usually true for leading US universities. Only a few universities or colleges may allow this. Additionally, scheduling a campus visit, applying online (mail-in application), and filling out a statement of financial need are some of the ways to apply to universities in USA without an application fee.

What is the difference between an SAT fee waiver and a college application fee waiver?

The difference between an SAT fee waiver and a college application fee waiver is that you can apply to a university without paying an application fee if you have a college application fee waiver. On the other hand, an SAT fee waiver is when you can register for the SAT exam for free.

What other costs can I expect while applying to universities in USA that charge no application fee?

There are many other costs that you can expect while applying to universities in USA that charge no application fee. These include visa processing fees (INR 12,092), health insurance (INR 52,905 to 83,135), SEVIS fees (INR 26,459), airfare (INR 51,016), pre-arrival expenses, and standardised tests fees (INR 7,860 to 18,895), etc.

What are the different fee waiver programmes that I can use to apply to universities in USA with no application fee?

There are three different fee waiver programmes that you can use to apply to universities in USA with no application fee, namely Common App Fee Waiver (Common App), College Board Fee Waiver and National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Income-eligible students who qualify for an application fee waiver can apply to USA universities for free.

Does Harvard University charge an application fee to international students?

Yes, Harvard University does charge an application fee of USD 75 to international students. You can also request an application fee waiver if the admissions application fee is too expensive for you. To request a waiver, undergraduate students must apply through the Coalition Application or Common Application portal. Students can also apply through Transfer Applicants for requesting a transfer application fee waiver.

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