Review schools that allow students to apply to college free-of-charge. Please see Resources for a list of colleges with no application fees. Narrow down the choices to colleges that meet your requirements and apply to them.
Download the "Application for Fee Waiver Form" available at the National Association for College Admission Counseling website. Students with limited finances are eligible to complete the form, but the final decision rests with the college you're applying to. The form should only be submitted to the top four colleges you wish to attend.
Work through your guidance counselor during the application process. Ask if he can write an official letter on your behalf to waive the application fee. If you're submitting a fee waiver, your counselor will need to verify your eligibility.
Talk to the admissions office at the college you want to attend. Ask them how you can waive the application fee. Some schools, such as Mount Aloysius College in Pennsylvania, let you apply for free during the open house or if you attended the open house.
Check if the college waives fees for transfer students. Some schools, such as Marist College in New York, will waive the admission fee for transfer students when there's financial hardship.
Submit your application online. Some schools, such as Lynchburg College in Virginia, waive the admission fee for online applications.
Reapply to a school you attended before. Some schools, such as Clark Atlanta University in Georgia, readmit former students to the university without an application fee or recommendation letter.