MBA Application Fee Waivers: Eligibility, Top Schools, and How to Apply

An MBA is a high-value investment. The estimated average total cost of attending one of the world’s top MBA programs is around $203,000, according to findings from GMAC’s latest Cost of MBA Report. M7/T10 MBA costs can be close to $250K

The cost begins to add up even before securing an admit.  MBA application fees range from $150 to $250 per school, which means that those who apply to 7-8 schools would have to shell out $1500-$2000 for application fees alone.

Considering a mountain of expenses that lie ahead, who wouldn’t welcome an MBA application fee waiver? A waiver can help reduce the cost of applying to business school, particularly for applicants applying to multiple programs.

Business schools offer MBA application fee waivers to eligible applicants including those in US military/veterans, attendees of various MBA events, reapplicants and those facing financial hardships. Schools may offer a complete application fee waiver or a partial fee reduction, while there are schools which charge no application fee at all.

This article discusses how MBA applicants can get an MBA application waiver and the list of top schools that provide a waiver.
 

What is an MBA Application Fee Waiver?

An MBA application fee waiver allows qualifying candidates to submit their application without paying the required application fee. The waiver may be a complete fee waiver or a reduction in the cost of application fee.

For example, at UVA Darden School of Business, depending on the event you attend, the application fee cost would be reduced by $100-150. In case of Yale School of Management, there’s a sliding-scale application fee structure. The standard application fee is $250. Applicants earning lesser than $50,000 a year would have to pay a reduced $175 application fee, while those earning less than $25,000 a year would be required to pay $125.
 

Who Is Eligible for an MBA Application Fee Waiver?

Need-Based Application Fee Waivers

Those with low income, financial hardship are eligible for such waivers. Applicants may be required to submit relevant documentation related to income and financial situation including assets, debts or family obligations. Harvard Business School and Stanford Graduate School of Business offer need-based waiver.

Military & Public Service Waivers

Most of the schools offer waivers for active-duty U.S. military service members, U.S. military veterans whereas several others offer waivers to Members of the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, Teach for America, Teach for China, Teach for India, or other Teach for All network partners who have served.

Diversity or Organizational Affiliation Waivers

Participants in initiatives such as Forté MBALaunch, Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), and The Consortium would be eligible for application fee waivers at certain business schools. These waivers are intended to expand access to business education for diverse and historically underrepresented candidates.

Event-Based Fee Waivers

This would be the easiest way, especially for international students, to qualify for an application fee waiver. This may include attending official admissions webinars, open houses, workshops, virtual fairs, virtual/in-person conferences as well as campus visits.

Waiver for Reapplicants

Some schools offer application fee waiver for reapplicants. For example, Michigan Ross offers waivers to reapplicants applying within 5 years, similarly, at Duke Fuqua, you’d have to apply within 2 years for an application fees waiver. CMU Tepper and UVA Darden also have reapplicant waiver policies.

Academic-Based Waivers

Some schools may offer application waivers to current undergraduate students or university alumni.

How to Get an MBA Application Fee Waiver

1. Check if you’re eligible for a waiver

Review the school’s current waiver criteria to know if you qualify for a fee waiver. If you start early, you can plan and attend the various events that allow you to qualify for a waiver.

2. Find the process of applying for a waiver

In many schools, you may be required to start an MBA application and then fill in the waiver request. The process would vary depending on the school.

3. Gather required documents

Depending on the type of waiver, you would need to produce proof of military service, income information, event participation, or organizational affiliation.

4. Submit the request well in advance before the application deadline

Don’t wait until the application deadline to submit your waiver request. For example, if you’re applying for a need-based waiver at Harvard, you have to start an application, complete the waiver request form and submit the form (not the full application) two weeks before the application deadline.

You will be notified via email if your request has been approved. So, check the school website for the time needed to process the waiver request and plan to apply for a waiver accordingly.

5. Wait for waiver approval before paying

Application fee, once paid, would not be refundable. So obtain the waiver before you complete and submit your application. Only if the waiver is denied, you can proceed by paying the application fee.
 

MBA Application Fee Waiver: Business Schools, Who can Apply & How to Apply

Business School	Application Fee	Who Can Get a Waiver?	How to Apply
Harvard Business School (HBS)	$250	-Need-based application fee waiver -Active-duty military applicants	-Request waiver 2 weeks before application deadline -Income, assets, educational debt, family obligations, reasons for waiver
Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB)	$275	-Demonstrated financial hardship -Active-duty US military/veterans	-Start MBA application -Submit additional form & supporting documentation before deadline
University of Michigan: Ross	$250	-US military/veterans,Peace Corps,Teach for All -Full-time MBA event attendees -Fulbright Scholar -Reapplicants applying within 5 years	-Submit reason for waiver when prompted while filling in the application
Columbia Business School (CBS)	$250	-US military/Peace Corps,Teach For All -Full-time students -Eligible displaced persons	-Provide proof of service -Explain need for a fee waiver
Duke University: Fuqua School of Business	$225	-Military/Veterans -Attendees: designated campus events/webinars/open house -Early Action application round -Forté/MLT/QuestBridge/Riordan fellows -Alumni referrals -Reapplicants (within 2 yrs)	-Complete ‘Application Fee Information’ section -Select ‘fee waiver’ option
University of Virginia: Darden	$250	-US military/veterans,AmeriCorps/Peace Corps, Teach for All -Reapplicants -Alumni of UVA & Virginia universities –Reduce fee by US$100–150:Attend in-person partner events, off-site Darden-hosted events & webinars	-Register for event -Use same email as in Darden account OR -Recommended to log into your application to register for events-Notified by email about outcome
Yale School of Management	$250	-Military/veteran, Peace Corps -MLT/Forté MBALaunch/Girls Who Invest/QuestBridge,Teach For All -Income-based sliding fee;< 50k/yr – $175 fee, <25k/yr – $125 fee	-Request a fee waiver within the application, if eligible
Dartmouth College:Tuck School of Business	$250	-U.S. Military/Veterans -Teach for America, Forté MBALaunch/MLT/QuestBridge/McNair Scholars/Posse/Rhodes/Riordan/ -Tuck Business Bridge Alumni/Fulbright Scholars	-Have open application-don’t submit your application -Waiver requests reviewed as received -Expect response within 2 business days
Carnegie Mellon University: Tepper School of Business	$200	-Attendees of on-campus, off-campus, virtual, ‘meet our students’ events -Complete additional information in MBA Request Information form -Reapplicants	-Register for event or -Fill ‘additional information’ in MBA Request information form -Reapplicants: login with same email, password previously used
Rice: Jones Graduate School of Business	$200	-U.S. military/veterans, Peace Corps -Teach for America -Forte MBA launchers, MLT -Attendees of recruiting/admissions event (virtual/on-campus), MBA fairs	–
Emory University: Goizueta Business School	$175	-U.S. Military/Veterans, Peace Corps -Forte MBA Launchers -Teach for America -Participants of ‘getting It Done 101’ application workshops	-Email to request waiver -Register for workshop upcoming session -Workshops offered before each round deadline
UNC-Kenan Flagler Business School	$150	-US military/veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps -Teach for America/Forte MBA Launcher -Attendees: qualifying admissions event	-Indicate military experience -Indicate participation in any qualifying program -This will activate fee waiver in your application
University of Rochester – Simon Business School	$90	-US Military -University of Rochester alumni -Attendees: virtual/in-person event	-Email written explanation, résumé & documentation -Email response within 5 business days
Georgetown University: McDonough School of Business	$175	-US military/veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps -Forte MBA Launcher/MLT -Reapplicants -Currently furloughed/laid off due to national economic circumstances Reduced application fee for: -Event Attendees – U.S. citizens/PR earning <$30K/yr – Non-U.S. citizens earning <$15K/yr -Members of Forté	-Event attendees get application fee reduction code via email within 3 business days of event -Currently furloughed/laid off-email to georgetownmba@georgetown.edu

Note: Waiver policies change annually. Always verify requirements on individual program websites before applying.

Some top-tier global business schools do not charge an application fee to any applicant, thus providing an automatic waiver to all.

Top Business Schools with No Application Fees

Business School	Location	Application Fee
Washington University – Olin Business School	USA	-No application fee is charged to applicant (Automatic waiver)
SMU: Cox School of Business	USA	-Application fee is waived for all candidates by default
Alliance Manchester Business School	UK	-No application fee
Cranfield School of Management	UK	-No application fee -Early application tuition fee discounts
Queen’s University: Smith School of Business	Ontario, Canada	-No application fee

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why Do Business Schools Charge an Application Fee?

MBA admissions committees have a demanding job: sifting through loads of applications and resumes from candidates across diverse career paths, industries, and nationalities. They must carefully evaluate each profile, narrow the pool down to a limited number of candidates, invite shortlisted applicants for interviews, and conduct those interviews.

All of this is a time-intensive process, and the application fee helps cover the cost of processing and evaluating applications. It also serves as a filter, encouraging candidates to think twice before applying and ensuring that those who do are genuinely serious about the program.

2. Do I have to request a fee waiver before submitting my MBA application?

You must request and receive an MBA application fee waiver approval before submitting your application, so waiver requests are to be made keeping in mind the application deadline.

3. Can I get a refund if I already paid the MBA application fee?

No. MBA application fees are usually non-refundable. Most of the business schools would not be able to process a refund or issue retroactive waivers after an application has been submitted and the fee has been paid.

4. What is the difference between an MBA fee waiver and a fee reduction?

A full waiver eliminates the application fee, while a fee reduction lowers the amount an applicant must pay. Applicants should check the school website for the latest updated information on which type of waiver a school provides.

5. Do MBA programs waive application fees for international students?

Yes. International students can qualify for waivers if they meet the eligibility criteria based on factors such as financial need, participation in qualifying organizations, attendance at certain qualifying events, or reapplicant status.

6. Can MBA reapplicants get an application fee waiver?

Yes. Some schools offer application fee waiver to reapplicants. Applicants should check the school’s current admissions policy to confirm the reapplication window, eligibility requirements and waiver request process.
 

MBA Application Fee Waiver: Key Takeaways

• MBA application fee waivers are available at many business schools, but eligibility varies by school
• Common qualifying categories include financial hardship, military service, public service, diversity-focused organizations, admissions events, and reapplicants
• Some schools offer partial fee reductions while others offer full waivers
• Some business schools charge no MBA application fee
• Most waiver requests must be approved before the application is submitted
• Fee waiver policies can change each application cycle, so applicants should verify requirements directly with the school

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