2026 Forbes List of Colleges With No Application Fees for Admissions

Application fees add up fast—especially when you’re applying broadly to improve your odds. The good news: a growing number of U.S. colleges either don’t charge an application fee at all or make it easy to apply for free under certain conditions. Use this guide to target those money-saving options first, then decide where it’s worth paying a fee.

How applications end up free (four common paths)

1. Always-free policy
   Some colleges simply don’t charge an undergraduate application fee—year in, year out.

2. Platform-based free
   A school may be free only if you apply via a specific platform (e.g., their online portal or a common platform).

3. Occasionally free
   Colleges sometimes waive fees during priority windows, open houses, or “apply free” weeks. They also issue fee-waiver codes at virtual events.

4. Waiver-eligible
   Even if a fee exists, you can often have it waived for financial need, first-gen status, participation in certain programs, or by emailing admissions with a short request (template below).

Colleges commonly known for $0 undergraduate Application Fee

(Alphabetical; policy notes reflect typical recent cycles. Always check the current cycle’s instructions before you submit.)

1. Beloit College — Always free to apply (UG).
2. Bryn Mawr College — Always free (first-year & transfer).
3. Colby College — Always free (UG).
4. Denison University — Always free (UG).
5. Earlham College — Typically free (UG).
6. Grinnell College — Always free (UG).
7. Illinois Wesleyan University — Typically free (UG).
8. Kenyon College — Always free (UG).
9. Lawrence University — Always free (UG).
10. Mount Holyoke College — Always free (first-year & transfer).
11. Rhodes College — Always free (first-year & transfer).
12. Smith College — Always free (first-year & transfer).
13. Tulane University — Free for undergraduate applications via its standard platform; some non-UG programs may still charge.
14. University of Dayton — Always free (domestic & international UG).
15. Wellesley College — Always free (UG).
16. The College of Wooster — Always free (UG).

Tip: If your target school isn’t on this list, it might still be free during special windows or via waiver—don’t assume it’s paid until you check.

How to verify a fee in under 60 seconds?

• Search “[College Name] application fee undergraduate” and look for the current cycle’s admissions page.
• Confirm who is free (first-year, transfer, domestic, international).
• Note where it’s free (specific platform vs all platforms).
• Check for deadline-based waivers (priority rounds, open-house days).

If a fee exists, get it waived (legit, common, and fast)

• Financial-need waivers: Many colleges accept self-reported need or standard waiver attestations without extra paperwork.
• Event or code waivers: Attend a virtual info session or ask your regional rep—schools routinely share codes.
• Program-based waivers: Some schools waive fees for applicants from partner programs, college-access orgs, or school districts.
• Merit/academic waivers: High-achieving or priority-deadline applicants sometimes get automatic waivers.

Email Template (Copy/paste) To Request Fee Waiver in US Colleges

Subject: Application Fee Waiver Request – [Your Name], [Intended Term]

Hello [Admissions Office/Rep Name],

I’m preparing my undergraduate application for [College] for [Term/Year]. Paying multiple application fees is a hardship for my family right now. Could I please receive an application fee waiver or a code to submit my application?

Thank you for your time and consideration.
[Your Full Name]
[High School], [City/Country] • [Email] • [DOB].

Special notes for international applicants

• Some colleges that are “always free” extend that policy to international students; others limit free applications to U.S. applicants.
• If the portal shows a fee for international applicants, email admissions with the template above—many will grant a waiver on request.
• Watch for document-submission fees separate from application fees (e.g., transcript evaluation). Those are different and may or may not be waivable.

Strategy: Build a zero-fee application list in 20 minutes

1. Choose 8–12 target schools across reach/target/safety tiers.
2. From that list, circle the ones above and any you discover are currently free.
3. For any paid schools you still love, send the waiver email today.
4. Apply to the free schools first to bank admits while you sort waivers for the rest.

FAQs

Do fee-free applications affect admission chances?
No. Application fees (or lack of them) don’t factor into academic review.

Is the enrollment deposit also free?
No. Fee-free applications don’t eliminate enrollment or housing deposits—those are separate and sometimes deferrable or waivable for need.

Are transfer applications also free?
Often yes at the colleges listed, but always confirm the status for your path (first-year vs transfer).

Bottom line

Lead with colleges that never charge an application fee, then use waiver strategies everywhere else. You’ll save money, submit more targeted applications, and keep your energy (and budget) focused on essays, testing, and financial-aid forms—the parts that actually move the needle.