🎓 SAT Fee Waivers: What They Cover & How to Apply
Preparing for the SAT shouldn’t be cost-prohibitive. College Board offers free SAT fee waivers to eligible students, covering multiple fees and services—making college readiness more accessible. Here’s how it works, what’s included, and how to get one.
Who Qualifies for an SAT Fee Waiver?
Students may qualify for a fee waiver if they meet one or more of these criteria:
- Enrolled in or eligible for the National School Lunch Program
- Family income meets federal low‑income guidelines
- Receiving public assistance, foster care, or homeless support
- Living in federally subsidized housing
- A ward of the state or orphaned
Qualification is managed via the student’s high school counselor—home‑schooled students can request waivers directly through the College Board.
What’s Covered by the Fee Waiver?
If approved, the SAT fee waiver typically includes:
- Two free SAT registrations
- Waived late registration, and date or center change fees
- No-cost delivery of all official score reports
- Free Answer Service (QAS) or Student Answer Service (SAS)
- Access to college application fee waivers at 2,000+ colleges
This comprehensive coverage ensures students face no financial barriers to testing and college applications.
How to Apply for an SAT Fee Waiver
1. Talk to Your School Counselor: Only school staff can officially certify fee waivers. They’ll review your eligibility and submit the request to College Board.
2. Receive Your Waiver Code: Once approved, you’ll get a unique code—be sure to save it carefully.
3. Register for the SAT Using Your Code: When you sign up online at the College Board website, enter the fee waiver code to bypass all associated charges.
When to Register or Change
- Late Registration or Test‑Center Changes—normally cost $25–$30—but are free if a waiver is used.
- Last-Minute Registrations—waiver still applies if done before the late deadline.
- Score Report Sends—all college score reports are free when using a waiver.
- Accommodations or Device Requests—no fees assessed, even if applying late.
Why Fee Waivers Matter
1. Removes Financial Barriers: Many students earn admissions and scholarships they couldn’t have afforded without waiver support.
2. Encourages Early Planning: Students can plan multiple test attempts or submit scores to more colleges without worrying about cost.
3. Supports Academic Opportunity: Waivers also provide access to prep resources and college application assistance—leveling the playing field for students from low-income backgrounds.
SAT Fee Waivers Timeline & Tips
- Apply early through your school—ideally during your junior year or the academic term before testing.
- Use both free registrations strategically—take one in spring/junior year and the second in senior year.
- Use all score report sends within nine days post-test for no cost.
- Track your waiver code carefully—don’t lose it.
Fee Waiver Coverage Summary
| Item | Cost Without Waiver | Cost With Waiver |
|---|---|---|
| SAT registration | ~$60 | $0 |
| Late registration | ~$30 | $0 |
| Change date/center | ~$25 | $0 |
| Each score report | ~$12–14 | $0 |
| QAS/SAS score review | ~$16 | $0 |
| College application fee waiver | Varies | $0 |
SAT fee waivers are a valuable resource for eligible students, often covering nearly all standard fees associated with registration, score reporting, and test-day logistics. If you qualify, make sure to act early—get your waiver processed and plan your test dates strategically to maximize opportunities.