Universities In USA With No Application Fees 2025

Studying in USA is not easy, the cost of studying and living in USA alone can pose too much trouble for international students. Moreover, many universities in the USA charge high application fees which can quickly add up to cause more troubles, if you're looking to apply for multiple universities.

However, many top-ranking universities in the USA waive application fees, ensuring that financial instability doesn't pose a threat to any student's study abroad dream. International students looking to pursue their studies in the US can apply for multiple best universities in USA with no application fees, provided they meet some of the required guidelines and conditions. By choosing to apply for such universities you can save a substantial amount of your money, while broadening your chances of getting accepted, for majority of the universities in USA that waive application fees have high acceptance rate.

In this blog, we shall together explore which of the top-ranking US universities do not charge an application fees. We shall also discuss the eligibility criteria, and the platform through which you can apply for an application fee waiver and save your money.

So let's get started right away!

Why Look For Universities In USA Without Application Fees?

First things first, if a university offers its students some benefits, then a student should make the most out of such opportunities. A student who is informed well, and understands his/her rights is the one who will automatically survive in a foreign land.

Moreover, from public universities to elite universities, the application fees for universities in the US ranges between USD 45 to USD 150, and depending on the availability of the course you've applied for? Certain courses may charge more than that. Now, students who are highly motivated to pursue their studies in the US, apply to 10 to 15 universities at the same time. If we establish that applying for a university in US costs USD 75 on an average, applying to 10 to 15 universities will cost around USD 750 to USD 1100, which is around INR 65 K to INR 95 K or more.

As you can see for yourself, this is not a very small amount, especially when universities in USA without application fees are allowing you to apply for free.

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Top 8 USA Universities with No Application Fees 2025 Updated

Some of the major elite universities in the USA offer application fees waiver options to the students applying for their courses. The students who are in desperate need to save the application costs, can either submit their application fees waiver requests directly to the university, or the applicants can use the Common Application or Coalition Application to access the application fees waiver options.

Now what is a Common Application and a Coalition Application is something that we will discuss in the sections below. For now, let us take a look at some of the top-ranking universities in USA for international students that offers application fees waiver.

Here You Can Find the List of top 8 USA Universities with No Application Fees in 2025

*Please note that the above mentioned fees waiver guidelines may vary depending upon the courses you've applied for. So it is advisable to consult the university experts before applying.

Table 1:Top 8 USA Universities without application fees

Source: Official University Websites

Common Application V/S Coalition Application

When it comes to applying to multiple universities in the USA, the applicants either use a Common Application or a Coalition Application to apply to more than one university. The applicants who are in need of financial assistance can look for US universities without application fees for admission, in the respective applications and apply for such universities for free.

These applications allow students to submit their admission essays, letters of recommendation and their standardized test scores to multiple universities at once. Both these applications allow the student to write an essay, and submit additional essays if required.

In the table below, you can check out the basic difference between a Common App and a Coalition App.

Table 2:Comparison between Common Application and Coalition Application

Source:Official websites of Common Application and Coalition Application

List Of US Universities With No Application Fees And Higher Acceptance Rate

The names of the universities mentioned in the list below have been extracted from the Common Application website. These universities offer application fees waiver to first-year university applicants. Among 900+ universities we, have enlisted the top universities that have higher acceptance rate.

List of US Universities with high acceptance rate that do not charge application fees-

1. Bethel University - 89%
2. Clarkson University - 78%
3. Cedarville University - 65%
4. Dallas Baptist University - 91%
5. DePauw University - 66%
6. Graceland University - 74%
7. Millikin University - 75%
8. Nebraska Wesleyan University - 81%
9. Queens University of Charlotte - 71%
10. Mary's University of Minnesota - 97%
11. Thomas University - 97%
12. University of Dayton - 74%
13. University of Wisconsin Parkside - 73%
14. York College of Pennsylvania - 96%
15. Wittenberg University - 94%

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Eligibility Criteria For Universities In USA Without Application Fees

Since the establishment of the Common Application in 1975, majority of the universities/colleges have been adhering to the guidelines of the Common Application, when it comes to granting application fees waivers. Unlike Coalition Application, which was specifically designed to support underrepresented sections of the society, the Common Application partners with a wider range of universities.

For international students it is important to understand that different universities have different demands, prioritizing every eligibility criteria differently.

Listed below is a generalized eligibility criteria for the students who wish to apply to US Universities without application fees. These guidelines combine the best of both the Common App and the Coalition App.

The eligibility criteria for top USA universities with no application fees are as follows

1. The applicant must be enrolled or be eligible to participate in federal free or reduced price lunch program (FRPL)
2. Applicant must have received previously or must be eligible to receive a SAT or ACT fee waiver
3. The applicant's family income must fall between the USDA Food and Nutrition Service approved income eligibility guidelines.
4. If the applicant's family receives public assistance, they can be found eligible to apply for application fee waiver
5. The applicant must provide a supporting statement from a school official or a financial aid counsellor.
6. The applicants who've received a need-based scholarship previously are also eligible to apply for application fee waivers.

How To Apply For US Universities With No Application Fees?

For students who are willing to apply for a singleton university, they should check the official university website to get more clarification on the specific options available for application fees waivers. However, for international students who are looking forward to apply to 8 to 10 universities, all at once, applying through Common App and Coalition App sounds more effective.

Here's a step-by-step process for applying to the best universities in USA without application fees

1. Create an account on the Common App/Coalition App
2. Go to your profile
3. Answer "YES" to the fee waiver eligibility question
4. From the drop-down list select the reason that aligns perfectly with your situation
5. Mark your E-signature
6. Ask your school counsellor to verify your application fee waiver request

Once your school official or school counsellor approves your application, your application fees waiver request will be submitted to every university you've applied for through the Application.

Documents Required for Applying to US universities Without Application Fees

For students who are in desperate need of applying to a large number of universities without paying for the application fees, must use the Common App or the Coalition App to its full potential. However, for students who are simply looking to apply for just one or two universities, must look for opportunities to apply for the application fee waiver by going through the university specific guidelines.

Applying individually, or via Common/Coalition App, you will be required to submit some supporting documents. These documents are -

1. Proof of family income
2. A letter of recommendation from your school official
3. A statement or essay confirming your financial need (Some universities have their own prompts that students must answer)
4. Copies of SAT or ACT fee waiver form
5. School reports (if, asked)

Once you find yourself eligible to apply for an application fee waiver, do make sure that you can provide every document that is asked in the guidelines. Most of the universities do settle for the school official's confirmation/approval, however, in some cases students might have to provide more details.

Lastly, for students who are eagerly waiting for apply to free application fee universities in USA, and are not in the mood to pay the application fees? Such students must look for opportunities like attending conferences or recruiting events of the university of their choice. This way, students can meet university-related alumni and other people who can provide them with application fee waiver codes, and other meaningful insights.

Comparing Common App In USA With UCAS In UK

Both, the United Kingdom and the United States of America are the premier study abroad destination in the world, hosting students from 180+ countries every year. Applying for universities in UK and USA is a very complicated and a tedious process, which is why to streamline the admissions, both the countries have specific portals where students can apply for admissions.

In the table below, you can see the basic difference between the UCA in UK and the Common App in USA -

Table 3:UCAS v/s Common Application

Source:USNews

US Universities Without Application Fees -The Student Helpline's Final Take

While most of the students are well-aware which university to pick, which course to pursue and which scholarship will suit their academic profile the best, majority of the students lack the basic knowledge and other benefits that specific universities do have to offer.

Seriously, did you know anything about an App through which you can send your application to 20 universities in the USA for free? These little freebies can make a huge difference when put together.

In the 2022-23 year alone, more than 400 K applicants received up to USD 133 Million in Common App fee waivers. We, at The Student Helpline believe that students should at least know their basic rights and benefits so that they can make better informed decisions. From guiding you regarding your study abroad budget to helping you find the best student loan and scholarship deals, our study abroad experts have got all the resources to handle everything with ease, are well-informed and committed to bring the best overseas education information and services at your doorstep.

So, what are you waiting for? Get on-boarded with us today, and see for yourself, how we will help you transform your study abroad journey!

Universities in USA Without Application Fees FAQs

How long does it take for universities In USA to accept fees waiver requests?

Between three to fifteen business days. The universities in USA usually take this much time to review, shortlist and notify the eligible fee waiver candidates about the status regarding their request.

What if my fees waiver request is denied by the university?

If your fee waiver request is denied by the university, then you will be notified about the same in your mail, and you will be also asked to pay the application fees.

Which is better Common App or Coalition App?

Common App is usually the first preference of students who wish to apply to multiple colleges at once since it has partnered with 900+ universities. However, the Coalition App, though only partners with 150 universities, can prove to be a better choice for students belonging from underrepresented groups.

Which universities In USA with no application fees is hard to get into?

The university of Harvard, MIT, Stanford University, Caltech and Yale university are some of the hardest universities in USA that might or might not offer application fees waivers to international students.

Can international students apply to universities In USA with no application fees?

Yes, the international students can apply to the universities in USA with no application fees. However, not all universities support this, but most of the universities have specific guidelines to help students to apply without paying the application fees.

Which universities In USA with no application fees are easiest to get into?

The Saint Mary's university of Minnesota, St. Thomas University, Wittenberg university and York college of Pennsylvania are some of the easiest universities in USA with no application fees.