Ohio State works with a variety of programs that provide fee waivers to applicants, and also manages several of its own programs. You can check your eligibility by selecting from the waiver programs in the drop-down below.
International students are not eligible for application fee waivers.
If your waiver request is denied, you will be asked to return to your admission application and pay the application fee. Processing times vary. For most programs, you will receive an email response regarding the outcome of your request within three to five business days.
Fee waiver programs
Alumni online program applicants
The Ohio State University Alumni Association and the Office of Distance Education have established a benefit for Ohio State alumni. Those who apply to an online degree or certificate program are eligible for an application fee waiver.
Eligibility
You must be a graduate of The Ohio State University at the time of application who is applying to one of Ohio State's online degree or certificate programs.
Required actions
Follow the directions at the top of this page. No further action is required.
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students
Eligibility
ABRCMS attendees may receive a code to waive the application fee for graduate study.
Required actions
Follow the directions at the top of this page. When you check the box in the application, you'll be asked to enter your ABRCMS fee waiver code.
Big Ten Academic Alliance
The Big Ten Academic Alliance is a consortium of the Big Ten member universities plus the University of Chicago. The FreeApp program is designed to increase access to graduate education for students who bring qualities and experience that will enhance the diversity of graduate students at member universities.
Eligibility
To be eligible to submita FreeApp waiver request form, you must meet BTAA's criteria.
Required actions
- Complete the FreeApp request form. A link to this form can be found at the bottom of the FreeApp program website.
- Once your request is received, the Graduate School will contact you to verify your eligibility for this fee waiver. The Graduate School may be contacted at gradrecruit@osu.edu.
Black Graduate and Professional Student Caucus
Eligibility
BGPSC attendees may receive a code to waive the application fee for graduate study.
Required actions
Follow the directions at the top of this page. When you check the box in the application, you'll be asked to enter your BGPSC fee waiver code.
Current or former Ohio State undergraduate student
Eligibility
Ohio State undergraduate students applying to an undergraduate professional major do not have to pay the application fee.
Required actions
On the "Final Steps/Submit" tab of the application, under the Application Fee Waiver section, click the box that reads, "I am a current or former Ohio State undergraduate student." No further action is required.
Economic Disadvantage Fee Waiver
Eligibility
Applicants who have limited financial resources and qualify for federal financial aid may be eligible for an application fee waiver from Ohio State. (International students are not eligible but are encouraged to research EducationUSA Opportunity Funds, which, if awarded, can be used to pay the application fee.)
Required actions
Submit one of the following via email to esue-gpfeewaivers@osu.edu.
- A copy of your approved AMCAS, DAT, LSAT, OAT, PCAT or GRE fee waiver (for tests taken within 12 months of the application date.)
- A copy of a letter on official letterhead from an agency official verifying that you or your family have qualified for public assistance based on low income criteria for the current 12 month period.
- A copy of your financial aid award letter for the current year from another / previous institution or a copy of your federal Student Aid Report (SAR) that verifies you qualified for financial aid within the current 12 month period based on a Student Aid Index (SAI)* of not more than 1,500.*The SAI must be provided on the document you submit.
Grad Prof Student Recruitment
Eligibility
Applicants to the Ohio State Office of Diversity and Inclusion Graduate/Professional Student Recruitment Initiative (GPS) program and those who have attended the GPS program are eligible for an application fee waiver. You must be a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.
Required actions
Send an email to lipscomb.3@osu.edu indicating you have checked the GPS fee waiver box on your admission application.
Graduate Engineering Open House
Eligibility
If you attended the Graduate Engineering Open House in October, you are eligible for an application fee waiver from Ohio State.
Required actions
Follow the directions at the top of this page. No further action is required.
McNair Scholars Program
Eligibility
If you are a McNair Scholar, you are eligible for an application fee waiver from Ohio State.
Required actions
- Complete the FreeApp request form. A link to this form can be found at the bottom of the FreeApp program website.
- Once your request is received, the Graduate School will contact you to verify your eligibility for this fee waiver. The Graduate School may be contacted at gradrecruit@osu.edu.
OSU Direct Application Fee Waiver
Eligibility
Attendees at various graduate recruitment events may receive a code to waive the application fee for graduate study.
Required actions
Follow the directions at the top of this page. When you check the box in the application, you'll be asked to enter your fee waiver code.
PGD Program
Eligibility
You are eligible for this type of fee waiver if your graduate department has offered to pay your application fee.
Required actions
Have your program send confirmation of your participation to esue-gpfeewaivers@osu.edu.
Previous OSU Graduate Student
Eligibility
Former Ohio State graduate students who finished a degree but would like to take classes can apply for graduate non-degree status and are not required to pay the application fee.
Note: Current or former Ohio State graduate students applying for a degree or certificate program should submit an Intra-University Transfer application. There is no fee for this application.
Required actions
On the "Final Steps/Submit" tab of the non-degree application, under the Application Fee Waiver section, click the box that reads, "Previous OSU Graduate Student." No further action is required. Previous enrollment status will be verified after submission. Waiver must be selected at the time of application.
Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science
Eligibility
SACNAS attendees may receive a code to waive the application fee for graduate study.
Required actions
Follow the directions at the top of this page. When you check the box in the application, you'll be asked to enter your SACNAS fee waiver code.
Summer Research Opportunities Program
Eligibility
If you have participated in a Summer Research Opportunities Program sponsored by the Big Ten Academic Alliance (formerly CIC), such as Ohio State's SROP program, you are eligible for an application fee waiver from Ohio State.
Required actions
- Complete the FreeApp request form. A link to this form can be found at the bottom of the FreeApp program website.
- Once your request is received, the Graduate School will contact you to verify your eligibility for this fee waiver. The Graduate School may be contacted at gradrecruit@osu.edu.
