Online College Application Fees: Who Charges and Who Waives Them
You have narrowed your list to a few online programs, and each application asks for a credit card before you can submit. Many online schools charge nothing to apply, and most of the ones that do charge between $25 and $75, so you can usually keep the cost of applying low by checking each school's fee first and asking for a waiver where one is offered.
This guide explains what an application fee covers, shows what the 18 schools in the CollegeHub directory charge, lists the other costs that can come after you're admitted, and walks through how fee waivers work.
What an Application Fee Pays For
An application fee covers the school's cost of reviewing your file: reading your application, checking transcripts and, at some schools, evaluating transfer credit. It is a one-time charge per application, and it is separate from tuition.
Three things are worth knowing before you pay:
- It is usually non-refundable. If you are not admitted, withdraw, or decide to enroll elsewhere, schools generally keep the fee. Colorado State University, for example, states that its fee is not refunded if an applicant is denied, withdraws or changes their mind, and that it cannot be applied to tuition.
- It doesn't reserve your spot. Paying to apply doesn't hold a seat in a class. That is what an enrollment deposit does, if the school asks for one (more on that below).
- It is charged per school. Applying to four schools with a $50 fee each costs $200, which is why the schools on your list matter.
How much is typical? There is no official national figure: each school sets its own fee and publishes it on its admissions or application page. Among the 18 schools in the CollegeHub directory, fees range from $0 to $75, and most charge nothing.
Application Fees at Schools in the CollegeHub Directory
Every school listing in the CollegeHub directory shows its application fee. Here is how the 18 schools currently listed compare:
| Application fee | Schools in the CollegeHub directory |
|---|---|
| $0 or free | American InterContinental University, Carrington College, Colorado State University Global, Colorado Technical University, Grand Canyon University, Liberty University, Purdue Global, San Joaquin Valley College, South University, The University of Arizona Global Campus, UEI College, Ultimate Medical Academy, University of the Southwest |
| $25 | ECPI University |
| $50 | Berkeley College |
| $75 | Arizona State University, Full Sail University |
| Varies by program | University of Arizona Online |
Thirteen of the 18 list no application fee. Applying to the four schools with a fixed fee would cost $225 in total, while applying to any combination of the no-fee schools costs nothing up front.
A few things the table doesn't tell you:
- Fees can differ by program. A school may charge one fee for undergraduate programs and another for graduate programs, or waive the fee for certain programs. University of Arizona Online says outright that its fee varies by program.
- Fees change. Schools adjust them from year to year, and some waive them during promotions or application events. Treat the directory as a starting point and confirm the amount on the school's application page before you pay.
- "$0 to apply" isn't "$0 to start." A school without an application fee can still charge other fees once you are admitted, which the next section covers.
Costs That Can Come After You're Admitted
The application fee is often the first charge, not the only one. Before you commit, ask the admissions office whether any of these apply:
| Cost | What it is | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment or tuition deposit | A payment after admission that holds your place, often credited toward your first bill | Is it refundable, and until what date? |
| Transcript fees | Charges from your high school or previous colleges to send official transcripts | Do I owe a balance that would block my transcript? |
| Orientation or new-student fee | A one-time charge some schools add to the first term's bill | Is it charged to online students too? |
| Technology or course fees | Per-term or per-credit charges for online platforms, software or lab kits | Is it included in the tuition figure I was quoted? |
| Credit evaluation fees | Some schools charge to evaluate transfer credit or prior learning | Is the evaluation free if I enroll? |
Enrollment deposits are where refund rules matter most. Each school sets its own policy: some keep the deposit once it is paid, and others refund it if you cancel before a stated date. If you are still choosing between schools, get the refund date in writing before you pay a deposit anywhere.
If you are planning a January start, these costs arrive quickly. Our guide to starting college in January lays out when each step usually happens between now and the first day of class.
How To Get an Application Fee Waived
If a school on your list charges a fee, you may not have to pay it. There is no single waiver that covers every school: the Common App, the College Board, NACAC and individual colleges each set their own rules.
Which routes apply depends on where you are in life.
If you're a high school senior
- Common App fee waiver. You request it in the Profile section of your Common App account, and your school counselor confirms your eligibility. Typical indicators include receiving free or reduced-price lunch, participating in programs such as GEAR UP or Upward Bound, or receiving public assistance.
- SAT or ACT fee waiver. Students who took the SAT or ACT with a fee waiver are often eligible for college application fee waivers too. The College Board's fee waiver FAQ explains how its waivers work at participating colleges.
- NACAC fee waiver form. Your counselor can submit a NACAC request directly to colleges that accept it.
If you're an adult learner or returning student
Most waiver programs are built around high school counselors, so adults usually have to ask the school directly:
- Email or call admissions before you pay. Ask whether the fee can be waived for financial need, for returning former students, or for applicants who attend an information session.
- Ask about military and veteran waivers. Some schools waive application fees for service members, veterans and their families. If you plan to use VA education benefits, our guide to what the GI Bill pays for an online degree covers the costs that come after admission.
- Watch for waiver periods. Some schools waive fees during specific weeks or for applications submitted by an early date.
- Ask your employer. If your employer offers tuition assistance, check whether it covers application fees as well.
If a school won't waive the fee and it is a stretch, that is useful information in itself. A school that charges $75 to apply is not necessarily better than one that charges nothing, so compare programs on accreditation, cost and outcomes, not on the application fee.
Before You Pay Any Application Fee
Run through this short list for each school:
- Confirm the amount on the school's own application page. Directory listings and third-party lists can lag behind a fee change.
- Check whether the program you want has its own fee. Graduate and specialized programs sometimes charge more than the school's standard fee.
- Ask about a waiver first. It is easier to have a fee waived before you pay than to get it refunded afterward.
- Confirm the school's accreditation. An application fee is a small cost next to tuition at a school whose credits or degree may not be recognized where you need them. Every school in the CollegeHub directory lists its accreditation.
- Keep the receipt. If the application stalls or a fee is charged twice, you'll want the payment record when you contact the school.
Comparing what it costs to apply? See application fees, start dates and accreditation for accredited online schools side by side in the CollegeHub directory.
Related Articles
What the GI Bill Pays for an Online Degree
GI Bill online degree benefits explained: what the Post-9/11 GI Bill pays for tuition, books and online housing in 2026–27, and how to check your own share.
What To Know About Taking Summer Classes Online
Learn what to know about taking summer classes online, from course formats and scheduling to choosing credits, financial aid, and success strategies.
Questions To Ask Before You Commit to a College
Questions to ask before you commit to a college: check accreditation, net cost, aid, transfer credit, graduation and refund rules, and where to verify each one.