How To Qualify For A College Tuition Waiver

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A tuition waiver is a form of financial aid some universities offer to reduce or eliminate tuition for students who meet certain requirements. In contrast to scholarships or grants, tuition waivers are a less common form of financial assistance that can reduce your costs for college. Qualifying for a tuition waiver may mean you need to take out fewer student loans, which can save you extra money in the long-term, too.

Average annual tuition and fees for an in-state, four-year public school add up to $11,610, according to the CollegeBoard. A tuition waiver can help cover expensive education costs, but you should first understand how they work and figure out if you meet the qualifications.

How to get a tuition waiver

Tuition waivers may come from specific institutions or states, so you’ll want to check on your options at the school or schools you are considering. You may qualify through academic merit, financial need or special circumstances such as foster care. While some tuition waivers are based on the information you include in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you may have to submit a separate form for others.

You can also qualify for a tuition waiver – sometimes with states bordering your home – to avoid the extra costs of out-of-state tuition. When you attend a school in another state, universities generally charge you extra fees in the form of out-of-state tuition, but some schools offer out-of-state tuition waivers to students who meet certain eligibility requirements. For example, Southern University provides waivers to students who meet certain academic requirements, such as having a 2.75 or higher high school GPA.

7 Types of tuition waivers

Employment or parental employment

One of the perks many college and university systems offer is reduced or free tuition for employees and, sometimes, their children. If you are employed at a college or university in a full-time, salaried role, you might be able to get a waiver to attend that school part-time. You could potentially earn a degree only with classes taken while working full time and studying part time. Additionally, some states offer certain public and civil servants, such as firefighters, a tuition waiver to encourage professional development and growth.

Low income

The financial information you include in the FAFSA may qualify you for discounted tuition through a tuition waiver. Combined with any private scholarships or federal grants you receive, a tuition waiver may have a positive impact on your ability to afford to attend college.

Hardship

Certain hardships can help you qualify for a tuition waiver, too. If you face economic hardship or a natural disaster, you may qualify for special tuition waivers. You may also qualify if you have a disability. Programs like this will be specific to institutions or states, so if you think you may qualify, research options that fit your circumstances.

Foster care and homelessness

There are some programs that offer a tuition waiver if you are part of the foster care system or experience homelessness. For example, the state of Maryland offers a tuition waiver to youth in foster care. West Virginia University also offers a tuition waiver for youth in foster care.

American Indian waiver

Many colleges offer tuition waivers to students who are members of a federally or state-recognized American Indian tribe or have a certain percentage of American Indian ancestry. For example, the Montana University System awards tuition waivers to students who meet one of those criteria, belong to a tribe located in Montana and can demonstrate financial need.

Non-traditional students or senior citizens

If you’re a non-traditional student who didn’t attend college or university as a young adult, you may qualify for tuition waivers. For example, Louisiana residents over 60 who attend Delgado Community College are eligible to have tuition waived for up to three credit hours each semester.

Some colleges offer a series of low-cost classes specifically for the local senior citizen community. If your particular college or university doesn’t offer these tuition waivers, check local community colleges as well. Some states offer one or more classes worth of tuition waivers per semester.

Veterans and their dependents

Some public university systems, like colleges and universities in California, offer dependents of military veterans a tuition waiver, while other college systems like the University of Connecticut offer tuition waivers for members of the National Guard who also live in-state.

While each system of universities and colleges has different qualifying and final tuition waiver amounts, it’s worth exploring if you are either the dependent of a veteran or a veteran yourself.

Tuition waiver alternatives

If you don’t qualify for a waiver or your university doesn’t offer one, there are other ways to reduce your out-of-pocket college costs.

• Scholarships: A scholarship is award money that can help cover your tuition that doesn’t have to be repaid. Many private and not-for-profit companies offer scholarships, and you can find them using scholarship search engines.
• Grants: Similar to scholarships, you don’t have to repay grants. Grants are usually awarded based on your financial need. To see if you qualify for a federal grant, you must complete the FAFSA.
• Work-study: The federal government provides funding for work-study jobs – part-time jobs on or off campus — to students who demonstrate financial need. You must submit the FAFSA to determine if you’re eligible.
• Subsidized loans: Depending on your financial need, you may qualify for a subsidized federal student loan. A major benefit of a subsidized loan is that the federal government pays interest on the loan while you’re in school. To see if you qualify, submit the FAFSA.
• Employee tuition reimbursement: Employers can provide up to $5,250 in tax-free tuition reimbursement each year. If your employer doesn’t offer this perk, it doesn’t hurt to ask them if they’ll consider doing so in the future since employers receive tax benefits as well.

Bottom line

While tuition waivers aren’t the only way to pay for college, they are an excellent tool that can reduce both your overall cost and the number of student loans you would need to complete your degree. Explore colleges and universities to see where you could qualify for partial or full tuition waivers.

Frequently asked questions

• Can you appeal if you don’t get a tuition waiver?
  

  Typically, you wouldn’t appeal a tuition waiver – you either qualify for it or not. For competitive tuition waivers, there are simply more applicants than there are waivers available, and for need-based or status-based waivers, you either qualify or don’t.