Seniors, it is that time of the year again: college application season. While this can be an exciting process as you take yet another step closer to your future, it can also be extremely stressful trying to keep up with the abundance of deadlines while simultaneously working to make your application the best it can be. Application costs only add another layer of stress, as they can be expensive and potentially affect the number of schools you apply to. Due to all their downfalls, many wonder why applications even have these added fees. 

While they are not even close to what a year in college costs, college applications are often still unnecessarily expensive. College applications can range from $0-$90, with the average being $56. This can add up quickly, as many students apply to several colleges to have multiple options. As there are many students who cannot afford the application fees, they are forced to limit the number of schools they apply to. They can also be a waste of money, as students have to pay the fee, even if they receive a rejection, and there are no refunds. 

“Personally, applying to more than five colleges, my application fees will combine to be over $100. Such a steep fee to merely apply to a school feels excessive, and I believe prices could be lowered or eliminated to help aspiring college students,” Cooper Gilreath, senior, said.  

However, while they may seem unnecessary to applicants, application fees can be helpful to colleges. Some colleges put fees in place to keep students from applying just for fun. Many schools get thousands of applicants every year and do not have the time to waste on applications that were sent in without the intent of actually attending the school. Often, students will apply to a school, particularly Ivy Leagues, knowing they will not be accepted, just to see what happens. College application fees work to keep this from happening, as students are less likely to spend money on a school they know they will get declined from. 

“It makes sense that some of the higher placed colleges implement application fees, as I know several people who like to apply to Ivy League schools, just to see if they can even get deferred,” Megan Reed, senior, said.  

As you enter college application season, keep in mind that many colleges offer a period of time where their application fee is waived, and you should plan accordingly. Here is a list of all the schools in Georgia that offer application fee waivers and the dates they occur.