SAT Fee Waiver Benefits & Eligiblity
SAT Fee Waivers
SAT fee waivers are available to help alleviate the financial burden of taking the SAT for low-income 11th-grade and 12th-grade students who are U.S. citizens or legal residents residing in the United States or U.S. territories. Eligible students for SAT fee waiver may also include U.S. citizens living outside of the country who meet specific criteria such as being enrolled in an American or International School abroad or are dependent children of military personnel stationed overseas. The SAT fee waiver program covers the cost of the SAT exam as well as other additional services such as sending score reports to colleges and universities.
SAT Fee Waiver Eligibility
The SAT fee waiver program is designed to help low-income students who may not be able to afford the cost of taking the SAT exam. To be eligible for the SAT fee waiver, students must meet one or more of the following criteria:
1. Students from low-income families: Students who are enrolled in a federal free or reduced-price lunch program or other government assistance programs may be eligible for an SAT fee waiver.
2. Students from families with low income levels: Students whose family income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service may also be eligible for an SAT fee waiver.
3. Homeless or living in foster care: Students who are homeless, or who are in foster care or are wards of the state, may also be eligible for an SAT fee waiver.
4. Other special circumstances: Students who are experiencing other special circumstances that make it difficult to pay for the SAT may also be eligible for an SAT fee waiver. For example, students whose families have been impacted by natural disasters, military deployment, or other unforeseen circumstances may qualify for a fee waiver.
To apply for an SAT fee waiver, students will need to provide documentation or proof of their eligibility, such as a letter from a school counsellor or other designated school official, or documentation from a government agency or social service organization. The College Board provides a fee waiver request form that students can use to apply for the program.
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Process to Get SAT Waivers
SAT fee waivers are available to eligible students who cannot afford the cost of taking the SAT exam. The process to obtain an SAT waiver typically involves the following steps:
1. Determine eligibility: Students who are in 11th or 12th grade and meet certain income eligibility requirements may be eligible for an SAT fee waiver. You can check your eligibility by visiting the College Board website.
2. Obtain a SAT fee waiver form: Eligible students can obtain an SAT fee waiver form from their school counselor or directly from the College Board website.
3. Complete the SAT fee waiver form: The fee waiver form will require some basic personal and financial information, such as income and family size. Make sure to fill out the form completely and accurately.
4. Get the form signed: The fee waiver form will need to be signed by a school counselor or authorized community-based organization representative to verify your eligibility.
5. Register for the SAT: Once you have the fee waiver form signed, you can use it to register for the SAT exam either online or by mail. The fee waiver will cover the cost of the exam as well as up to four college application fee waivers.
It's important to note that SAT fee waivers are only available for the SAT Reasoning Test, not for SAT Subject Tests. Additionally, SAT fee waivers are only valid for the academic year in which they are issued, so make sure to use them before they expire.
What SAT Fee Waiver Do Not Cover?
While SAT fee waivers cover the cost of the SAT exam, as well as up to four college application fee waivers, there are some things that they do not cover. Here are a few examples:
1. Late registration fees: If you miss the regular registration deadline and need to register during the late registration period, you will need to pay a late fee. SAT fee waivers do not cover late registration fees.
2. Additional score reports: You can send four free score reports to colleges when you register for the SAT with a fee waiver. However, if you need to send additional score reports, you will need to pay a fee.
3. SAT Subject Tests: SAT fee waivers only cover the cost of the SAT Reasoning Test, not SAT Subject Tests. If you want to take an SAT Subject Test, you will need to pay the full cost.
4. Test center or test date changes: If you need to change your test center or test date after you have registered with a fee waiver, you will need to pay a fee.
It's important to note that SAT fee waivers are only available for the SAT Reasoning Test, not for SAT Subject Tests. Additionally, SAT fee waivers are only valid for the academic year in which they are issued, so make sure to use them before they expire.
SAT Fee Waiver Benefits
If you qualify for an SAT fee waiver, you'll not only receive the benefit of 2 free SAT tests, but also several additional advantages to help you navigate the college application process. These benefits may include free score reports sent to colleges and universities, waiver of college application fees, access to free SAT practice materials and resources, and personalized guidance and support from school counsellors or designated school officials. By removing financial barriers and providing additional resources, the SAT fee waiver program helps ensure that all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background, have an equal opportunity to pursue higher education.
Other SAT Fee Waiver Benefits
• Students who receive an SAT fee waiver may also be eligible for a fee reduction when requesting score verification.
• The SAT fee waiver program also provides an additional benefit to U.S. citizens living outside the country who qualify for the program. Specifically, eligible students who are from United States or U.S territories.
• Eligible students in the United States or U.S. territories who receive a SAT fee waiver are exempt from late registration fees for their free tests.
• If you need to cancel your SAT test, another benefit of the SAT fee waiver program is that you won't be charged a cancellation fee.
If I qualify for a fee waiver, are there any types of fees I still have to pay?Yes. Fee waivers don't cover these optional costs:
• Late registration fees for subject tests
• Waitlist fees
• Additional score reports
• Fees for changing the test center or test date
Accepting SAT Fee Waivers
If you have been granted an SAT fee waiver and wish to use it to register for the SAT exam, you can indicate your SAT fee waiver status during the registration process. Here are the steps to follow:
1. When you are registering for the SAT exam online, select the option that indicates you have been granted an SAT fee waiver.
2. If you are registering by mail, include your SAT fee waiver card with your registration form.
3. If you have already registered for the SAT exam but were granted a SAT fee waiver after you registered, you can contact SAT customer service to request a refund of your registration fee or a waiver of your late fee.
It's important to note that SAT fee waivers are granted on a case-by-case basis and that not all students will qualify for the program. If you believe you may be eligible for an SAT fee waiver but have not yet been granted one, you should speak with your school counsellor or designated school official to learn more about the application process.
How do I view my fee waiver benefits?
If you have been granted an SAT fee waiver, you can view your fee waiver benefits by logging into your College Board account. Here are the steps to follow:
STEP 1: Go to the College Board website and sign in to your account using your username and password.
STEP 2: Once you are signed in, click on the "My SAT" tab.
STEP 3: Click on "My SAT Fee Waivers" to view your fee waiver benefits.
STEP 4: Your fee waiver benefits will be listed, including the number of fee waivers you have been granted and any benefits that come with them, such as free score reports or test changes.
If you have any questions or concerns about your fee waiver benefits or how to view them, you can contact SAT customer service for assistance.
SAT Fee Waivers: FAQs
Eligible students can receive up to two SAT fee waivers from the College Board, which cover the full cost of the SAT exam. These fee waivers also provide additional benefits, such as free score reports and college application fee waivers. To be eligible for fee waivers, students must meet certain criteria, such as being enrolled in a free or reduced-price lunch program or other qualifying government assistance programs. Students should check with their school counselor or college advisor to determine if they qualify for fee waivers and to obtain the necessary forms and instructions.
SAT fee waivers cover the cost of the SAT exam and related services for eligible students. To use a fee waiver, students must obtain the waiver form from their school counselor or college advisor and submit it with their SAT registration. Fee waivers also provide additional benefits, such as free score reports and college application fee waivers.
If a student needs additional SAT fee waivers beyond the two they are eligible for, they can contact the College Board or their school counselor to discuss their options. Additional fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances, such as for students experiencing financial hardship or other special circumstances.
SAT fee waivers can be obtained through a student's school counselor or college advisor. Students should discuss their eligibility for fee waivers with their counselor and obtain the necessary forms and instructions. Once the form is completed, it should be submitted along with the student's SAT registration to the College Board.
Students who receive SAT fee waivers can apply to up to four colleges or universities for free, using their fee waiver benefits. It's important for students to check with the colleges they are interested in to determine if they accept fee waivers for application fees. Some colleges may require additional documentation or have specific procedures for fee waiver recipients.
Students can receive up to six SAT Subject Test fee waivers from the College Board, which cover the cost of up to three SAT Subject Tests. However, it's important to note that many colleges and universities no longer require or recommend SAT Subject Tests as part of the admissions process. Students should check with their chosen colleges to determine if SAT Subject Tests are required or recommended, and to confirm the number of tests they should take.
SAT fee waivers can be obtained through a student's school counselor or college advisor. Eligible students should discuss their eligibility for fee waivers with their counselor and obtain the necessary forms and instructions.
The College Board offers eligible students up to two fee waivers for the SAT exam, which cover the full cost of the test. Students can also receive up to six fee waivers for SAT Subject Tests, which cover the cost of up to three tests.