We know that college is a costly endeavor, though there are plenty of ways to make it less so. However, simply preparing for and applying to college is also littered with fees: test fees, registration fees, application fees. Everyone wants a piece of that college pie, including the College Board. 

Each SAT exam you take costs $60 to register for, which adds up quickly if you take it multiple times. Plus, if you want to send your scores to more than four schools, there is a $12 fee for each additional report. Such fees can be a serious obstacle for students from low-income families.

Luckily, the College Board is committed to lowering the barriers in order to make SAT testing more accessible for such students. Read on to learn more about the Fee Waiver Service and how best to use it if you qualify.

How do I know if I qualify?

First of all, you must be a junior or senior (11th or 12th grade) living in the United States or one of its territories. If you live outside the U.S., you must be a U.S. citizen. Fee waivers are not available to younger students.

Next, you must meet one of the qualifications provided by the College Board:

• You’re enrolled in or eligible to participate in the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
• Your annual family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service (provided below).
• You’re enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that aids students from low-income families (such as Federal TRIO programs like Upward Bound).
• Your family receives public assistance.
• You live in federally subsidized public housing, are in a foster home, or are houseless.
• You’re a ward of the state or an orphan.

According to the above list, if you receive a free or reduced lunch at your school, you qualify for a fee waiver. This is perhaps the easiest way to determine your eligibility. You can also use the chart below for Income Eligibility Guidelines, which are used to determine eligibility for free and reduced lunch programs.

For households of more than six, add $9,509 for each additional member to the total for a household of six.

What are the benefits of a fee waiver?

The SAT fee waiver provides eligible students with several benefits regarding the cost of the SAT and applying to college. Primarily, eligible students are allowed to take the SAT free of charge twice and receive access to the Student Answer Service, which is a report that provides greater insight into the type of questions on that particular exam and your performance in relation to their difficulty. Students must request this report at the time of registration in order to receive it free of charge.

Usually, students only receive four free score reports to send to the colleges of their choice, and they must have ordered them no later than nine days after taking the exam. If they want to wait to see their scores or send them to more than four schools, they must $12 per report. If you are eligible for the fee waiver, you may also send your score reports from those two free exams to as many schools as you would like whenever you would like.

Receiving an SAT Fee Waiver may also allow you to waive fees for college applications at particular schools, as well as CSS profile applications. The CSS profile is used by some colleges, universities, and scholarship programs as part of their financial aid process. Visit the College Board’s website for more information regarding which schools participate.

While there are a few other benefits, be aware that if you miss a test you have registered for using the fee waiver, it may not be reused. If you find out that you cannot take the SAT on the day you have registered, cancel it as soon as possible. You have until 11:59 PM Eastern Time the Thursday before your exam to cancel. Your unused fee waiver will also be returned to you.

How do I get the fee waiver?

For the 2023-2024 school year, qualifying students will have two options to receive the fee waiver: in school or online. In the past, school counselors have distributed the 12-digit code to eligible students, and they will continue to do so. This year, the College Board will also offer an online SAT Fee Waiver Request Form. After answering questions on the form, you may receive approval, but College Board may also check eligibility through other means. Given that this is a new process, it will probably be easier to ask your school counselor.

If you are homeschooled, your parents will need to contact a local high school and provide documentation of one of the above eligibility requirements to receive a fee waiver. The counseling department at the high school will be able to provide them with more information. 

You will use the 12-digit code when registering for your first SAT exam. After that, all other benefits will be linked to your College Board account, where you can register for another exam, view your scores, and more.

Making the Most of Your Fee Waiver

Though many students do take the SAT more than twice trying to get their target score, if you are depending on those two free exams, it is entirely possible to hit your target in just two exams. You will just need to double down on your preparation to make the most of those fee waivers. 

Do the research on your preferred schools to determine the average scores of accepted applicants. Download practice tests from College Board and take them using the timing of the real test. Score your practice tests, and spend time understanding your mistakes so you can review concepts as needed. If your school offers an SAT School Day, make sure you go to school that day! That will count as a third opportunity.

Scoring well on the SAT can make going to college much easier because not only will you be accepted to your preferred universities, but you may also find yourself eligible for a range of scholarships that will help you pay for school. Even if you are not sure if you are eligible or not, it is worth it to speak with your counselor well in advance before you think about registering for the SAT. Don’t let any opportunity go to waste!