How to Waive ACT Fee When Sending Scores to Colleges: A Comprehensive Guide

Applying to college can be an exciting but also expensive process. Standardized tests like the ACT often play a significant role in college admissions, and the associated fees can be a burden for many students. Fortunately, the ACT offers fee waivers to eligible students, providing not only a free test registration but also several other benefits, including waived fees for sending scores to colleges. This article provides a detailed guide on how to navigate the ACT fee waiver process and maximize its benefits when sending your scores to colleges.

Understanding ACT Fee Waivers

An ACT fee waiver covers the basic registration fee for either the ACT without Writing or the ACT with Writing. Fee waivers are typically valid through August 31 each year, meaning you might need to obtain one waiver during your junior year and another during your senior year to cover all your testing needs.

What the ACT Fee Waiver Covers:

The full cost of the ACT (with or without Writing).
Up to six free score reports to colleges.
Free access to The Official ACT® Self-Paced Course, Powered by Kaplan®.
The option to add ACT My Answer Key (TIR) to your registration at no extra cost (offered on three test dates a year).
A waiver or deferral of college admission application fees.

What the ACT Fee Waiver Doesn't Cover:

Late registration fees if you register past the normal deadline.
Additional score reports beyond the six free reports.
Extra charges such as changes to your test date or test center.
The cost of retaking the ACT if you miss the test date you signed up for (the same fee waiver cannot be used again).

Determining Your Eligibility

The first step in waiving ACT fees is to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria for a fee waiver. Generally, you're eligible if you're enrolled in a Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program, or if your family's income falls within the guidelines set by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

Key Considerations:

Income-Based Criteria: The specific income thresholds vary, so it's essential to review the latest guidelines on the ACT website or consult with your high school counselor.
Enrollment-Based Criteria: Participation in programs like the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch program automatically qualifies you for a fee waiver.

Important: Providing false information about your eligibility for a fee waiver may result in a ban on your College Board student account, and you may be prevented from taking future College Board assessments (including without limitation the SAT, Advanced Placement (AP) and CLEP Exams).

Obtaining the Fee Waiver

To get an ACT fee waiver, the primary point of contact is your school counselor. It is advisable to proactively approach your counselor to discuss your eligibility and request the waiver code. Ideally, this should be done by the beginning of your junior year to allow ample time for test planning and registration.

Steps to Obtain a Fee Waiver:

Speak with Your School Counselor: Discuss your eligibility and request a fee waiver code.
Request Early: Get this taken care of early, ideally by the beginning of your junior year, as you design your testing plan.
Homeschool Students: If you're homeschooled, you can request a fee waiver directly from College Board. When doing so, enter the school on your My SAT profile as AI 970000 (School Name: Home School).

Using the Fee Waiver Code

Once you have obtained the fee waiver code from your counselor, you can use it during the ACT registration process.

Steps to Use the Fee Waiver Code:

Create an ACT Account: If you don't have an account yet, you'll need to create one.
Navigate to the Registration Section: Log in to your ACT account and navigate to the registration section.
Enter the Fee Waiver Code: During the registration process, there will be a section where you can input the fee waiver code provided by your high school counselor.
Verify the Fee Adjustment: Enter the code and verify that your total fees have been adjusted to waive the registration fee.
Complete Registration: Follow the remaining steps to complete your registration, including selecting your test date and location.

Sending Scores to Colleges for Free

One of the most valuable benefits of the ACT fee waiver is the inclusion of free score reports to colleges. Students who qualify for the ACT fee waiver receive added benefits beyond just a free test registration. When you register for the ACT, you can choose up to four colleges or scholarship programs to send your scores for free. These are included with your test registration.

Strategic Score Sending:

Choosing the best places to send your ACT score for free is more than just ticking a few boxes, it's a strategic move. It can help you save money and meet application deadlines without the stress of last-minute decisions. Since sending additional scores come with a fee, using your free ACT score reports wisely ensures you're not paying extra down the line.

Key Considerations for Selecting Colleges:

College Requirements: Is the ACT required or recommended for admission?
Merit-Based Scholarships: Does the college offer merit-based scholarships that consider ACT scores?
College Goals: If you're wondering where to send ACT scores for maximum impact, start by thinking about your goals.
Score Alignment: Review and interpret your score report to see how your results align with college admission standards, scholarship eligibility, military program requirements, or early decision timelines.
College Types: Most students use their free ACT score reports to apply to four-year colleges. These schools often use ACT scores for admissions, scholarship decisions, and course placements.
Test-Optional Schools: Even test-optional schools may consider scores for merit aid or competitive programs, making it worthwhile to include them if your score is strong.
State-Funded Scholarships: State-funded scholarships and public universities often base eligibility on ACT scores, especially for in-state residents.
Military Programs: Military academies and ROTC scholarships are highly competitive and require early ACT score submission. These institutions value academic performance, leadership, and service commitment, making strong ACT scores an essential part of your application.
Application Deadlines: Some colleges evaluate applications as they arrive (rolling admissions), while others require early action/decision deadlines. In both cases, sending ACT scores early using your free reports can boost your chance of timely review and early offers of admission or scholarships.

Maximizing Your Free Score Reports:

Make the most of your free ACT score reports by planning ahead and being strategic.

Research Scholarship Deadlines: Some merit-based scholarships require ACT scores by a specific date.
Include a Mix of Reach, Match, and Safety Schools: Diversify your free score reports to cover a range of colleges.
Use All Four Free Sends (Even If Unsure): It's better to use all four slots than to leave any empty.
Avoid Paying for Extra Sends Without a Plan: Don't rush into sending paid reports later.

Avoiding Common Mistakes:

Even though sending ACT scores for free is a great opportunity, making the wrong choices can cost you time, money, or even admission chances.

Read also: Colleges with Tuition Benefits

Randomly Choosing Schools Without Research: Don't waste free score sends on colleges you haven't looked into.
Missing the Free Send Deadline: Waiting too long means you'll have to pay for each additional report.
Ignoring Application or Scholarship Requirements: Some programs require official scores by a certain date.

Sending Additional Score Reports

If you need to send scores to more than six colleges, you will have to pay for the additional reports.

Additional Benefits of the ACT Fee Waiver

Beyond the waived registration fee and free score reports, the ACT fee waiver offers several other valuable benefits.

Free Test Preparation Resources:

Students registering with a fee waiver will also receive free access to The Official ACT® Self-Paced Course, Powered by Kaplan®, where you can find bite-sized, on-demand lessons, which offer the perfect mix of structure and flexibility.

ACT My Answer Key (TIR):

Students who register for the ACT with a fee waiver qualify to add ACT My Answer Key (TIR) to their registration at no extra cost. Offered on three test dates a year, ACT My Answer Key (TIR) allows you to see your test questions and answers after your test.

College Application Fee Waivers:

College application fees can really add up, but there’s good news! Students who test with an ACT fee waiver may also request a Waiver or Deferral of College Admission Applications Fee.

Preparing for the ACT

Before you take the ACT, you need to know how to prepare and study effectively in order to get a good score on test day. Preparation is the most important factor to improving your ACT scores, but you need to make sure you're prepping right. As we mentioned above, sign up for a test date and center that'll work for your schedule. If you are limited to taking the ACT twice (since you can get a maximum of two fee waivers), you'll want to design your testing plan around this fact. In terms of optimal test dates, many students test in the spring of their junior year and again in the early fall of their senior year.

Key Takeaways

Eligibility: Determine if you meet the income or enrollment-based criteria for a fee waiver.
Counselor Assistance: Work with your high school counselor to request a fee waiver code during registration.
Strategic Planning: Make the most of your free ACT score reports by planning ahead and being strategic.
Early Action: Be mindful of registration deadlines and request fee waivers early so you can apply those benefits in a timely manner.
Address Accuracy: When you’re filling out the form, please double-check that your address is accurate and correctly formatted. If your address is incomplete, inaccurate, or incorrectly formatted, your fee waiver request will be delayed.
Verification Contact: Be prepared to share the contact information of an adult who can verify your eligibility.

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