ACT Fee Waiver Program

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The registration fee for up to four ACT tests is covered. Students registering with a fee waiver will also receive free access to free learning resources and additional score reports. Students who receive an ACT fee waiver may also request college application fee waivers.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the ACT fee waiver program, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be currently enrolled in high school in the 11th or 12th grade.
• Be testing in the United States, US territories, or Puerto Rico.
• Meet one or more of the indicators of economic need listed below:
  • Enrolled in a federal free or reduced-price lunch program at school, based on US Department of Agriculture (USDA) income levels.
  • Enrolled in a program for the economically disadvantaged (for example, a federally funded program such as GEAR UP or Upward Bound). Note: If the student participates in a program, but is not economically disadvantaged, they are not eligible for a fee waiver.
  • Resides in a foster home, is a ward of the state, or is homeless.
  • Family receives low-income public assistance or lives in federally subsidized public housing.
  • Family’s total annual income is at or below USDA levels for free or reduced-price lunches on the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website.

  Application Process

  1. Check with your school counselor to see if you are eligible to apply.
  2. Once your school counselor determines you are eligible, you can receive up to four fee waivers to take the ACT test for free and you will receive free learning resources.
  3. When you register for the ACT online or by mail, use your ACT fee waiver code.

  Additional Resources

  • ACT Fee Waiver Webpage
  • Fee Waiver Eligibility Requirements 2021–2022
  • Fee Waiver User Scenarios
  • Fee Waiver Facts for the ACT

  Questions?

  The ACT Fee Waiver Program is not managed by the NYS Education Department. Please contact the ACT directly for additional information.