Online Colleges with No Application Fees

There are many costs associated with attending college, including the application fees many schools charge just for students to be considered for admission. Considering the average undergraduate application fee is $45, the costs can quickly add up for students applying to multiple institutions.

Students can manage these costs by seeking out online colleges that don’t charge application fees or by obtaining fee waivers. In this article, we’ll review the top online colleges with no application fees, as well as provide guidance on how to save money on application fees and apply to colleges without breaking your budget.

Top 20 Colleges with No Application Fees

School Name	Type of Institution	Location	Tuition (Per Credit)
Wellesley College	Private Nonprofit	Wellesley, MA	$2,200
Tulane University	Private Nonprofit	New Orleans, LA	Undergraduate: $2,683 Graduate: $642 – $2,100
Macalester College	Private Nonprofit	Saint Paul, MN	$2,121
Colby College	Private Nonprofit	Waterville, ME	$2,320
Reed College	Private Nonprofit	Portland, OR	$2,301
Carleton College	Private Nonprofit	Northfield, MN	$2,281
Smith College	Private Nonprofit	Northampton, MA	Undergraduate: $2,162 Graduate: $2,030
Grinnell College	Private Nonprofit	Grinnell, IA	$2,010
Colorado College	Private Nonprofit	Colorado Springs, CO	Undergraduate: $2,357 Graduate: $1,100
University of Dayton	Private Nonprofit	Dayton, OH	Undergraduate: $1,760 Graduate: $1,175 – $1,470
Bryn Mawr College	Private Nonprofit	Bryn Mawr, PA	Undergraduate: $2,150 Graduate: $2,297
Michigan Technological University	Public	Houghton, MI	Undergraduate Resident: $709 Non-Resident: $1,580 Graduate: $1,334 – $1,516
Wabash College	Private Nonprofit	Crawfordsville, IN	$2,075
Kenyon College	Private Nonprofit	Gambier, OH	$2,373
Eastern New Mexico University	Public	Portales, NM	Undergraduate Resident: $174 Non-Resident: $257 Graduate Resident: $317 Non-Resident: $415
College of Saint Mary	Private Nonprofit	Omaha, NE	Undergraduate: $770 Graduate: $550 – $885
Denison University	Private Nonprofit	Granville, OH	$2,095
Chadron State College	Public	Chadron, NE	Undergraduate: $316 Graduate: $400
Furman University	Private Nonprofit	Greenville, SC	Undergraduate: $2,034 Graduate: $450 – $1,100
College of the Ozarks	Private Nonprofit	Point Lookout, MO	$325

What You Should Know About Online Colleges with No Application Fees

The majority of traditional and online colleges charge application fees to help cover the administrative costs of evaluating applications and, in some cases, limit the number of applications a school receives.

However, that doesn’t mean that applicants have no choice but to pay application fees. There are a few ways that students can apply to college without shelling out hundreds of dollars in fees.

Some online colleges don’t charge application fees. In these cases, students can simply submit an online application and supporting documents through the school’s application portal. Schools may do this to encourage applications or remove financial barriers to obtaining higher education.

If you’re considering applying to a school that doesn’t charge application fees, it’s important to verify the institution’s legitimacy and accreditation. Not charging application fees can be a recruitment tactic for predatory for-profit schools that seek to enroll as many students as possible to boost revenue. Confirm that online colleges are accredited by checking the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) database and research colleges through third-party websites to ensure they are legitimate and provide high-quality instruction.

Other online colleges may charge application fees but waive them for students with demonstrated financial need or as an incentive to apply. When submitting applications, students should ask admissions counselors at their prospective schools if there are any circumstances in which they waive application fees for candidates.

Another option is to obtain fee waivers from external organizations, such as the College Board, the Common Application, the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and more. These organizations typically grant fee waivers based on financial need, but students in all circumstances can inquire to find out if they’re eligible.

Each online college that accepts fee waivers will have its own process for submitting waivers and applications. Be sure to speak to an admissions counselor to confirm everything is submitted correctly and by published deadlines. Delays in submitting fee waivers can slow down application processing times, impacting your ability to start your program on time.

How to Get Fee Waivers for College Applications

There are several organizations that provide students with application fee waivers. Here are some of the most common pathways to obtaining a fee waiver.

The Common Application: This non-profit organization streamlines the college application process by allowing students to apply to participating colleges with a single application. It also provides fee waivers to eligible students, including those eligible for the federal free or reduced-price lunch program, students in foster care, homeless, living in federally subsidized public housing, or from families who receive public assistance, or students who can provide a supporting statement from a school official, college access counselor, financial aid officer, or community leader.
SAT: The College Board, which administers the SAT, provides fee waivers for the standardized test and college applications. Over 2,000 colleges participate in the College Board’s fee waiver program. Generally speaking, any student who receives a fee waiver for the SAT is also automatically eligible for college application fee waivers. There is currently no limit on the number of college application fee waivers students can receive from the College Board.
ACT: The ACT college application fee waiver program works similarly to the College Board’s program. Students who waive their ACT registration fee are also eligible for waivers for college applications. However, eligible students don’t automatically receive application fee waivers from the ACT and must request them from the organization. Students should consult with their school counselor to determine eligibility for fee waivers from the ACT.
NACAC: The National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC) is an organization dedicated to helping students make decisions about pursuing post-secondary education. As part of that mission, NACAC provides application fee waivers to students with limited financial resources, including first-time undergraduate applicants, transfer students, and international students. Applicants can apply for up to four fee waivers through a form on NACAC’s website.
Coalition for College: Similarly to the Common Application, Coalition for College seeks to improve access to post-secondary education by streamlining the college application process. They provide application fee waivers to a variety of students, including those who participate in free or reduced lunch or TRIO programs, are veterans or active U.S. Armed Forces members, are the first in their families to attend college, receive public assistance, or are homeless, in foster care, or live in subsidized housing.
Individual institution application fee waivers: As mentioned above, many schools, even those that charge application fees, will waive application fees either as a promotion for all students or to assist students with financial needs. For example, schools sometimes provide waivers to students who attend virtual or on-campus open houses or events. When applying, students should check with an admissions counselor to find out if there are any circumstances under which the school waives application fees for students.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applying to College

Do all online colleges charge application fees?

No. Each college sets its own policies regarding application fees, and some may choose not to charge any at all, while others may waive application fees for certain student populations. When researching online colleges, review their admissions policies to confirm if they charge application fees and, if so, how much they are. It will help you build a budget for your college applications and determine how many, if any, fee waivers you may need.

How much does it cost to apply to an online college?

Among online colleges that charge application fees, the cost varies. The average undergraduate college application fee is $45, with some highly selective schools, such as Columbia University and Duke University, charging as much as $85 per application. Depending on how many schools you apply to, these fees can quickly add up, so it’s important to be strategic about where you apply and how many fee waivers you can obtain.

How do you apply to an online college?

Most online colleges accept applications through an admissions portal on their website. Students will set up an account that will allow them to submit an application as well as additional application materials such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, personal essays, and standardized test scores electronically. Depending on the type of fee waiver a student has, they can enter a fee waiver code at checkout or upload a fee waiver form. Students should also be aware of any additional application steps, such as interviews, before applying to an online college.

How many online colleges should I apply to?

Deciding how many colleges to apply to is largely dependent on personal preferences. Some students may focus on one or two schools that offer a specific degree program or meet their specific educational needs. Others cast a wide net and apply to multiple online colleges to see where they get accepted and who offers them the best financial aid package. When deciding how many applications to submit, students should review schools’ acceptance rates. Students applying to more selective schools may want to submit more applications to increase their odds of acceptance. It’s also important to review eligibility criteria to ensure that you meet the necessary qualifications for a school and program before you spend the time and money applying.