Most Application fees in the US typically range from about $50 to $100 per school, and graduate programmes can charge more, while Canadian universities often charge CAD 100 to 200 for international applicants. Applying to eight or ten schools can cost more than a month’s salary in many countries. The good news is that waivers are more common than most international students realise, especially in the US.
Fee Waivers for US Undergraduate Applications
US colleges understand that fees block talented applicants, so many offer several routes to a waiver. International students qualify for some of these, though the rules differ from those for US citizens.
Common App and Coalition Fee Waivers
The Common App lets applicants request a fee waiver in the profile section, and a school counsellor then confirms the request. International students can use this route when their counsellor confirms financial need, even though some eligibility indicators are US-specific. Once approved, the waiver applies to every participating college on your list that accepts it.
Colleges With No Application Fee
A growing number of US colleges charge no application fee at all, either permanently or during promotional periods. Many publish this on their admissions pages, and some waive the fee automatically for applicants who submit by an early deadline. Search each college’s admissions site for “no application fee” or “fee waiver” before paying.
Waivers Linked to Events and Programmes
Many US colleges waive fees for students who attend a virtual information session, a college fair, or a campus visit. Some do the same for applicants from partner schools or organisations, such as EducationUSA advising centres. Ask the admissions representative directly at these events, since the waiver code is often shared verbally or by follow-up email.
Fee Waivers for US Graduate Programmes
Graduate schools handle waivers department by department, which means there is often room to ask. Many publish waiver criteria on their admissions pages, while others decide case by case.
These are the most common grounds for a graduate fee waiver:
- Financial hardship:Many programmes waive fees for applicants who show limited income or come from low-income countries.
- Event attendance:Joining a recruitment webinar or graduate fair often earns a waiver code.
- Programme partnerships:Fellows of certain organisations or alumni of specific programmes may qualify automatically.
- Early application:Some departments waive fees for applications submitted before a priority deadline.
- Faculty interest:If a professor has encouraged you to apply, they can sometimes request a waiver for you.
How to Write a Fee Waiver Request Email
If a programme does not publish a waiver process, a short, polite email to the graduate admissions coordinator can still work. Introduce yourself, state the programme and intake, and explain briefly why the fee is a barrier. Mention your strongest qualifications so the reader sees why waiving the fee for you makes sense.
A simple structure looks like this:
- Subject line:“Application Fee Waiver Request: [Programme Name], Fall 2027”
- Opening:Your name, country, and the programme you plan to apply to.
- Your fit:One or two sentences on your academic record, research interests, or work experience.
- The request:A clear statement that the fee is a financial barrier and a polite request for a waiver.
- Close:Thank them and confirm you will apply before the deadline.
Keep the email under 200 words and send it at least a month before the deadline. Departments are more flexible when they are not handling hundreds of last-minute requests.
Fee Waivers at Canadian Universities
Canadian universities waive application fees less often than US schools, but it is still possible. Some run fee-free periods for certain programmes, and others waive fees for applicants from partner institutions or specific countries.
These are the most realistic routes in Canada:
- Check graduate departments directly:Some research-based master’s and PhD programmes waive fees for strong applicants or those with a supervisor’s support.
- Watch for promotional periods:A few universities and colleges announce fee-free application windows, especially for spring or summer intakes.
- Use partner and scholarship programmes:Applicants nominated through scholarship schemes, such as the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, may have fees covered.
- Ask the international office:A short email explaining financial hardship sometimes leads to a waiver, even when none is advertised.
Keep in mind that Ontario undergraduate applications go through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), which charges its own fee. Waivers at the OUAC level are rare, so focus on universities that accept direct applications if fees are a concern.
Mistakes That Cost Applicants Their Waiver
Waivers are often granted to applicants who ask early and clearly, and denied to those who leave it late. Avoid these common errors:
- Paying before asking:Once a fee is paid, refunds are rare even if you later qualify for a waiver.
- Requesting at the deadline:Admissions offices are busiest in the final week and may not reply in time.
- Sending a generic email:Mass emails without the programme name or your details are easy to ignore.
- Ignoring published criteria:If the website lists a waiver form, use it instead of emailing.
- Using unofficial waiver codes:Codes shared online may be expired or meant for specific groups, and using them can create problems with your file.
Final Thoughts: Always Ask Before You Pay
Application fees add up fast, but many US colleges and graduate programmes will waive them for international students who ask early and explain their situation clearly. Canadian universities are stricter, yet fee-free periods and direct requests still work in some cases. Build waiver research into your shortlist from the start, so you know which schools are free, which offer waivers, and which require payment.
A single polite email can save $75 or more per application. Across a full list of schools, that can cover a language test or the cost of sending transcripts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can international students get Common App fee waivers?
Yes, international students can request a Common App fee waiver, and a school counsellor confirms the request. Each college decides whether to accept the waiver.
Do Canadian universities offer application fee waivers?
Some do, especially graduate departments and universities running fee-free promotions. Waivers are less common than in the US, so asking directly is often necessary.
How do I ask a graduate school for a fee waiver?
Email the programme’s admissions coordinator with a short message explaining your interest, your qualifications, and why the fee is a barrier. Send it at least a month before the deadline.
Are there US universities with no application fee?
Yes, a number of US colleges charge no application fee, and others waive it during certain periods or for early applicants. Check each college’s admissions page before applying.
Does attending an information session get me a fee waiver?
Many US colleges and graduate programmes offer waiver codes to applicants who attend virtual sessions or fairs. Ask the representative directly if a code is not mentioned.
Will asking for a waiver hurt my admission chances?
No, requesting a fee waiver does not affect how your application is reviewed. Admissions and fee decisions are handled separately at institutions.
