Application Fee Waivers

Who is eligible?

Application fee waivers are available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented applicants who demonstrate financial need or hardship. Eligibility is determined using the Washington College Grant Program, specifically using the 100% Median Family Income (MFI) threshold.

• Reported income should reflect the most recent tax year
• Washington state residency is not required 
• Supporting documentation is not required at the time of application, but may be requested if your application is selected for audit

Applicants who expect to hold or currently hold F-1 or J-1 visa status are not eligible for this fee waiver due to federal eligibility requirements.

How to request

1. Complete all required sections of the application.
2. Click on the “Submit Application” button at the bottom of the “Review” page.
3. You will be directed to your Applicant Status Portal. Click on the link labeled “Request an Application Fee Waiver”.
4. Complete the fee waiver eligibility questionnaire.
5. Select ‘Financial’ as your Application Fee Waiver type.
6. Indicate your annual income and family size.

IMPORTANT: Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) cannot waive or refund the application fee once it has been paid.

Currently, two graduate preparation programs qualify for an application fee waiver.

• McNair Scholars
• Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA)

Who is eligible?

Application fee waivers are available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented applicants who are current or former participants in approved graduate preparation programs (e.g., McNair Scholars Program, PPIA Fellows Program).  

 Applicants who expect to hold or currently hold F-1 or J-1 visa status are not eligible for these fee waivers due to federal eligibility requirements. 

How to request

1. Begin your application and complete the Profile Information section of the Graduate School application.
2. At the bottom of that section, select “Yes” in response to: “Are you a current McNair Scholar or PPIA Fellow and would like to request an application fee waiver?”
3. Upload your supporting documentation when prompted.
4. PPIA Fellows must complete all application information and submit the application. McNair Scholars may continue working on their application and submit it later, as long as it is submitted by the program’s application deadline. uploading your documentation, complete all application information and submit your application.

IMPORTANT: Graduate Enrollment Management Services (GEMS) cannot waive or refund the application fee once it has been paid.

Supporting Documentation

GEMS will not process a fee waiver request without the submission of supporting documentation in the application or Application Status Portal.

• McNair Scholars should fill out the McNair Verification Form with their director.
  • Access the McNair Verification Form here. 
• The documentation or letter must include the following:
  • Applicant’s first and last name as self-reported on their UW application.
  • The participating institution self-reported on their UW application.
  • Name of the program in which they participated.
    • Note: Previous participation must have been through the completion of the degree-seeking program
  • Dates of participation
  • The position and signature of the program director verifying current participation in the grant program.

This fee waiver is designed for applicants pursuing a stacked graduate degree and its required graduate certificates*. It ensures that eligible applicants pay only one application fee across programs that are part of the same approved stacked pathway. See Graduate School Policy 1.4: The Stacked Graduate Degree for more information. 

 This fee waiver is available to domestic and international applicants, including those applying for F-1 or J-1 visas. 

 *If you are unsure if a graduate program is part of a stacked degree, contact your intended program directly. 

How the fee waiver works

• If you apply for a stacked degree and required certificates in the same quarter, you will be charged only one application fee. Additional applications in that degree pathway will be automatically waived.  
• If you apply sequentially (in different quarters), you may request a fee waiver for subsequent applications.  

Eligibility criteria (sequential applications only)

To qualify, you must: 

• Have previously applied to and enrolled in:
  • A stacked graduate degree, or
  • A required graduate certificate tied to that stacked degree
• Have paid the application fee (or received an approved dee waiver, see additional waiver types above) for your initial application
  • Be applying to a program that is part of the same approved stacked degree pathway

 Additional conditions 

• The graduate certificate must be a required component of the stacked degree  
• There is no time limit between applications (continuous enrollment is not required)
• A maximum of three fee waivers is allowed per applicant, per stacked degree
• If you begin in a different stacked degree, the limit is reset (a new application fee is required)

How to request

1. Begin your application by selecting the appropriate stacked graduate degree or graduate certificates. 
2. Complete all required sections of the application
   1. You must select “Yes” in response to: “Are you or have you ever been enrolled in a stackable graduate certificate that is part of the following stacked degree?” and then select the appropriate stacked graduate degree or graduate certificates.  
3. Click on the “Submit Application” button at the bottom of the “Review” page. 
4. You will be directed to your Applicant Status Portal. Do not pay the application fee.