Military academies
Before we close, it’s worth noting that all United States military academies (including the Merchant Marine Academy above) also have free applications. While the application process for these schools can be long and rigorous, you’ll likely not find many other schools that can offer the quality of education they do and a free application. If you haven’t explored them as options, take a look and see for yourself whether one might be the right choice for you!
Average cost of applying to college
If an average student applies to between five and eight colleges, those fees can add up. With the average cost of each application landing between $50-$90, this means that students can end up spending well over $300 to $500 on applications alone. Considering that students may or may not be accepted into all those schools, and even if they are, they can only attend one, the price tag above can be a tough pill to swallow. So, applying to even just one or two schools with free applications can be a big help!
Fee waivers
If there is a college you really want to attend, but you cannot afford to pay their application fee, check with the school to see if there are any fee waivers that you may be eligible for. Fee waivers may cover the whole or partial cost of the application.
Next Steps
Frequently asked questions about colleges with free applications
What does it mean when colleges send you free applications?
Is it better to apply through the Common App or directly?
Does the Common App let you apply to colleges for free?
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