When you consider the cost of college, you're likely thinking about tuition, room and board, books and more. However, applying to college has various costs. Here's an overview of how much it costs to apply to college.
What kind of "application costs" can I expect?
While the FAFSA is free (and very important) to complete, you'll run into several other costs as you plan and apply for college. Some common fees and expenses you could expect include:
- Standardized testing fees
- Tutors or test preparation materials
- Application fees
- Travel expenses for college visits
- Fees for CSS Profile or private student loans in some cases
Here's a more detailed look at some of those costs.
How much does the SAT/ACT cost?
Both the SAT and ACT are $68 per test.
Some add-ons and late registrations can add to the price. While you can send your score reports to up to four schools for free, you'll have to pay for extra score reports.
Here are some example fees for the SAT:
- Change test center: $34
- Cancel fee: $34
- Late cancel fee: $44
- Late registration: $38
- Additional score reports: $15 per report
- Rush reports: $31
- Score verification: $55
These are some additional expenses you could run into on the ACT:
- Writing add-on: $25
- Science add-on: $4
- Late registration: $40
- Test day or center change: $48
- Additional score reports: $20
- ACT answer key: $34 - $42
- Score verification: $67 - $134
Studying for your SAT/ACT can also increase the price. One-on-one tutoring averages about $70, but you could pay up to $200. You may also wish to buy prep books, flashcards or online courses to give your score a boost.
How much are college application fees?
College application fees are set by the school and can range from $0 to $100, with most around $47. The more colleges you apply to, the more you're going to likely pay in application fees. For example, applying to 10 schools at the average would total $430. You could pay significantly more if you're pursuing higher-end private universities.
Are there fees to apply for student loans?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is free and necessary if you want to take out federal student loans. However, some private schools require a CSS Profile for non-federal financial aid, including institutional grants and scholarships. The first CSS Profile application is $25, and additional schools are $16 each.
If you need private student loans, you may have to pay fees. Citizens does not charge application fees, origination fees, or disbursement fees for private student loans.
Are there any other college prep costs?
Campus visits can add quite a bit to your college application total, especially if they're far away. You need to pay for travel, meals, and potentially overnight stays. It can get expensive if you're going across the country or even just a few states away.
Once you choose a college, you will need to submit an enrollment deposit to secure your spot. The school may also request a deposit for housing and orientation.
How can I lower the cost of applying to college?
Thankfully, there are ways you may be able to lower the cost of applying to college, including:
- Apply for fee waivers. College Board, the ACT, CSS Profile, and some colleges offer fee waivers to students with demonstrated financial need. You might qualify if you're enrolled in or eligible for federal, state, or local programs that aid low-income families or if your family receives public assistance.
- Narrow down your college list. You don't need to apply to every college that catches your eye – and you shouldn't. Consider what you want out of a school and choose a set amount of "right colleges" to keep application and SAT/ACT fees down.
- Visit colleges after you're accepted. Visiting every college you're interested in can get expensive quickly. If you're planning on moving far away or just have a long list, visiting campuses after you've received campus letters could help you keep overall costs lower.
Ready to apply to college?
The cost of applying to college is just the beginning of your education finance journey. Once you've decided where you'll go to school, the next step is to figure out how you'll pay. Visit the Citizens Student Hub today to get started and explore all your options.
If you need help paying for college beyond what's offered in your financial aid package, Citizens is here to help you navigate this process. To learn more about our student loans, call 1-888-411-0266 to speak to a Student Lending Specialist or visit our Student Lending page – we're on chat.