SAT® Fee Waivers: How To Take The Test For Free

Standardized tests and college applications often come with a pretty steep price tag, which might seem like a hurdle if you're eyeing college. But before you worry too much about the expenses, it’s useful to know that you might not need to pay the to register for the SAT®. The College Board® offers fee waivers for eligible students, allowing you to take the SAT for free and enjoy some extra benefits, too.

Who Is Eligible for the SAT Fee Waiver?

Low-income 11th and 12th-grade students living in the United States or abroad potentially qualify for SAT fee waivers. If you meet one or more of the following requirements, you are eligible for the fee waiver:

• You are enrolled in or qualified for the federal National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
• Your family's annual income falls within the Income Eligibility Guidelines established by the Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA.
• You are enrolled in a federal, state, or local program that assists kids from low-income families.
• Your family receives government aid.
• You are homeless, or you live in federally funded public housing or a foster care system.
• You're either a state ward or an orphan.

If you're homeschooled and meet the specified requirements, you can also receive fee waivers.

Can international students receive fee waivers?

International students are not eligible to receive the SAT fee waiver. But you may be eligible if you are a non-U.S. citizen living and taking the test in the U.S. or U.S. territories. Contact your school counselor to learn more.

Benefits of SAT Fee Waivers

The perks of SAT fee waivers extend beyond covering the cost of a single exam. Here's what else you can get:

• You can have up to two registration fees waived.
• Make sure you subscribe to the free Answer Services option while registering for the SAT. Two services are offered for free. These help you understand how you answered the different types of questions on the test.
• You can also get access to the free Question-and-Answer Service (QAS) or the Student Answer Service (SAS) while ordering for Answer Services, and your hand score verification fee will be reduced by half.
• Enjoy unlimited score reports at no extra cost.
• If you need to cancel your SAT, there are no cancellation fees.
• Reduced college application fees are also a perk. Check with your prospective college to see if you are eligible for this.
• You’ll get free access to CSS Profile® applications, which can help you secure financial aid from participating schools.
• If you're a U.S. student taking the test from outside the U.S. or its territories, the Regional Fee will be waived.
• No late registration fee for your tests.

If you’re taking the digital SAT, contact customer care at 866-756-7346 (U.S. and Canada) or 212-713-7789 (Other countries) for information about score verification options.

How to Get the SAT Fee Waiver Code

Your high school counselor will be able to assist you in getting a fee waiver. Once your eligibility has been determined, your counselor will give you a code that you can use to sign up online. This code will allow you to register for two SAT tests. You will not need to re-enroll for the College Board to waive your fees. The next time you register for the exam online, your College Board account will automatically waive the fees.

If you are homeschooled, simply reach out to the nearest public high school. The school counselors in your area should be able to help you get the forms you need. The high school counselor will look at your tax records or other proof that you have been signed up for public aid or help you decide if you are eligible. Be sure to bring any forms or documents you need when checking for eligibility.

How to use the SAT fee waiver when registering online

To use the fee waiver for the SAT, register on the College Board website by following these steps:

1. After signing into your College Board account, click on "My SAT."
2. Under the "Got a Fee Waiver Code" section, enter your 12-digit fee waiver code.
3. Complete the registration process.

Use the same steps to register for the new digital SAT if you want to apply for a fee waiver.

Can I use the fee waiver when registering by mail?

After a counselor confirms your eligibility, you must submit a registration card. Fill out the required information on the card and include it with your registration forms. Make sure to complete all the necessary information. Incomplete forms and registration cards will not be accepted for SAT registration.

How do I accept SAT fee waivers?

If you are eligible or have a fee waiver code, you can accept a fee waiver on your “My SAT'' homepage. Just follow the steps below to accept a fee waiver:

• Visit the College Board website.
• Go to your “My SAT" account.
• Review the eligibility prompt's terms on this page, then click 'Continue.'
• Enter your 12-digit fee waiver code and click the 'Submit’ button to accept the waiver.

If you qualify for a fee waiver, you can register for the SAT and start getting ready to excel on the test. Begin by establishing a target score based on past acceptance data from your prospective colleges and universities. Then, focus on strengthening your weak areas to enhance your performance.

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