𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗫𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗭𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗙𝗘𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗥

An application fee waiver request is a formal appeal made by a prospective student to an educational institution, asking that the standard application fee be waived due to specific circumstances. Application fees can be a financial burden for some students, especially those applying to multiple programs or those facing economic hardships. The request is typically submitted in the form of a letter or through a designated online form provided by the institution.

The waiver request should clearly articulate why the applicant is requesting the fee to be waived and may also provide evidence or documentation to support the claim. Common reasons for requesting a waiver include financial hardship, participation in certain scholarship programs, or being part of underrepresented or disadvantaged groups.

The institution’s admissions office will review the request and make a decision based on their guidelines and the applicant’s demonstrated need or eligibility. If approved, the applicant can proceed with the application process without needing to pay the application fee.

To maximize your chances of successfully obtaining an application fee waiver, consider the following strategies when crafting your letter:

Check Eligibility Criteria

Visit the school’s website or contact the admissions office to see if they have specific guidelines or criteria for fee waivers. Make sure you meet these before applying.

Craft a Compelling Letter

A compelling letter states clearly the reason for your fee waiver request and explain why you qualify for it. General or vague statements are less persuasive.
See the attached sample.

Mention some qualities that stand you out

If you have academic or extracurricular achievements that make you a particularly strong candidate, mentioning these could make your application more compelling.

Show Genuine Interest

Express enthusiasm for the program and explain why you believe you would be a good fit, which can further motivate the admissions office to support your application.

Apply Early

Submit your request well before the application deadline. Fee waivers are often limited and granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Follow-Up

After sending the letter, it’s good to follow up to ensure it was received and to inquire about the status of your request.

Multiple Platforms

If possible, submit the letter both as an attachment and in the body of the email to ensure it gets noticed.

Address it Properly

Make sure you address the letter to the appropriate authority. Generic salutations like “To Whom It May Concern” are less effective than directly addressing the relevant person, like the Admissions Coordinator.

The attached sample shows a typical strong application fee waiver request.

Share this sample with Graduate school hopefuls within your reach.