ACT Fee Waivers (2026)
ACT provides fee waivers for 11th and 12th grade students in the United States with demonstrated financial need. Eligible students receive 2 free ACT registrations plus free score sends — covering most or all of the cost of testing.
Last updated: 2026 · 12 min read
Full ACT Cost Breakdown
ACT registration fees depend on whether you include the optional Writing section. Here is every fee you might encounter across your ACT testing.
| Service | Standard fee | With fee waiver | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT registration (without Writing) | ~$65 | $0 | 2 free tests with fee waiver |
| ACT registration (with Writing) | ~$90 | $0 | Writing section covered by fee waiver |
| Late registration surcharge | +$35 | Not waived | Avoid by registering before standard deadline |
| Standby testing fee | $66 | Not waived | Walk-in on test day without seat reservation |
| Score sends (first 4) | $0 | $0 | Always free at registration |
| Additional score sends | $16 each | Varies | Some extra sends covered by waiver — check |
| Test Information Release (TIR) | $26 | Not waived | Copies of test questions and your answers |
| Writing score review | $50 | Not waived | Human re-scoring of Writing essay |
| State-day ACT | $0 | $0 | Free in mandatory-testing states regardless of waiver |
1 Attempt vs. 2 Attempts vs. 3 Attempts: Total Cost
The ACT fee waiver covers 2 registrations (including Writing). Here is how total costs compare across scenarios with and without a fee waiver.
| Scenario | Without waiver | With fee waiver |
|---|---|---|
| 1 attempt (no Writing), 4 score sends | ~$65 | $0 |
| 1 attempt (with Writing), 4 score sends | ~$90 | $0 (Writing covered) |
| 2 attempts (with Writing each), 4 sends each | ~$180 | $0 (both registrations waived) |
| 2 attempts + 4 additional score sends | ~$180 + $64 = ~$244 | ~$64 (sends beyond waiver allotment) |
| 3 attempts (only 2 free with waiver) | ~$270 | ~$90 (3rd attempt not waived) |
| State day + 2 waiver attempts (best case) | — | $0 (all 3 free) |
The ACT Fee Waiver at a Glance
ACT's fee waiver program mirrors College Board's SAT fee waiver in many ways — offering eligible US high school students free test registrations and score sends.
Take the ACT at no cost, twice
Send scores to colleges at no charge
Fee waiver covers optional Writing section too
Many colleges accept ACT fee waivers for application fee waivers
Who Qualifies for an ACT Fee Waiver?
ACT fee waivers are available to US high school students in 11th or 12th grade who demonstrate financial need. Eligibility is confirmed by your school counselor.
Financial Need Criteria
- Income-based need: Annual family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines
- National School Lunch Program (NSLP): Enrolled in or eligible for free or reduced-price meals through the federal school lunch program
- Federal public assistance programs: Family receives support through means-tested programs (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, TANF, etc.)
- Foster care or ward of the state: Student is in foster care or is a ward of the state
- Homeless or housing-insecure: Student is currently homeless or lacks a fixed nighttime residence
Program-Based Criteria
- Federal TRIO programs: Enrolled in or eligible for Upward Bound, Talent Search, Student Support Services, or similar federally funded TRIO programs
- Migrant education programs: Enrolled in a state or federally funded migrant education program
- Special education programs: Receiving special education or related services through your school
What Is Covered by the ACT Fee Waiver
Test registrations
- 2 free ACT registrations: Standard registration fee (~$65) waived for 2 test dates
- ACT with Writing included: The fee waiver covers the optional Writing section (~$25 add-on) as well — you get the ACT with Writing at no cost with a waiver
- Late registration surcharge NOT covered: The $35 late fee is not waived — register before the standard deadline
Score sends
- Standard ACT registration includes 4 free score reports (designated during registration)
- A fee waiver extends the free sends — check your specific waiver for the number covered
- Additional score sends beyond the free allotment cost $16 each
College application fee waivers
Most colleges and universities that accept Common App, Coalition App, or other major application platforms will waive their application fee when you indicate that you have an ACT fee waiver. This can save $50–$100 per college application.
What is NOT covered
- Score reviews or score verification fees
- Requests for Test Information Release (TIR)
- Late registration surcharges — register before the standard deadline to avoid a $35 fee
- Standby testing fee if you show up without a registration
How to Apply for an ACT Fee Waiver
- 1Contact your school counselor
Your school counselor is the starting point for all ACT fee waivers. Tell them you are planning to take the ACT and ask if you qualify for a fee waiver. They will check your eligibility based on your enrollment status and financial need information.
- 2Receive your fee waiver from your counselor
If you qualify, your counselor will provide you with a fee waiver. This may be a paper certificate, a unique alphanumeric code, or a form to submit. The exact format varies by district and year — ask your counselor what you receive.
- 3Create an ACT web account
Go to act.org and create a student account. You will use this account to register for the ACT and manage your scores.
- 4Register for the ACT using your fee waiver
Select your preferred test date and location on act.org. During registration, enter your fee waiver code or follow the instructions for your waiver type. Confirm that the fee has been waived before completing registration.
- 5Designate colleges for free score sends
During registration, you can designate colleges to receive your free score reports. Choose your target schools now — it is free to send at registration; additional sends later cost $16 each.
- 6Use fee waiver status on college applications
When completing college applications, indicate that you have an ACT fee waiver where prompted (Common App, Coalition App, etc.). Most schools will automatically waive their application fee based on this status.
State-Administered ACT: Free Testing in Many States
Many states require all 11th graders to take the ACT as part of their state assessment program, administered during the school day at no cost to students.
- States with mandatory or state-funded ACT testing include Alabama, Hawaii, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming, among others
- State-day ACT is a full, official ACT — scores count for college applications
- No registration required from students — school handles all logistics
- In states with mandatory ACT testing, eligible students may still use fee waivers for additional national test-day attempts
- Some states also offer a free optional retake for students who want to improve their score
Free Score Sends: How to Maximize Them
Score sends are one of the most valuable parts of the ACT fee waiver. Additional sends cost $16 each, so planning ahead saves real money.
- Designate colleges during registration (before or just after the test) for free sends
- You can use ACT Score Choice to send only specific test date scores
- Finalize your college list before your test date so you can designate schools immediately
- Sends ordered after the standard post-test window cost $16 each; use fee waiver sends first
- If you have 2 fee-waiver registrations and 4 sends each, that is up to 8 total free score sends across both test dates
Minimize Cost Without a Fee Waiver
If you do not qualify for a fee waiver, these strategies reduce your total ACT costs.
The ACT can be taken multiple times, but each attempt costs ~$65–$90. With sufficient preparation, one or two attempts are achievable. Use ACT Academy (free), take 2–3 full practice tests, and identify your weak areas before booking a real test date. Do not register until practice scores consistently meet your target.
The late registration surcharge ($35) is entirely avoidable. Register at least 5 weeks before your test date. Check the ACT test calendar on act.org for exact deadlines for each test date.
The Writing section costs ~$25 extra. Some colleges require it; many do not. Check your specific target schools' requirements before registering. Paying for Writing when no target school requires it wastes $25 per attempt.
Free score sends must be designated at registration (before you see your score). Use all 4 free sends for your top target schools. Additional sends after scores arrive cost $16 each — planning ahead saves $64 for 4 extra sends.
Budget Planning for the ACT
- Registration ×2 (with Writing): $0
- Score sends (4 per registration): $0
- College application fees: $0 (waived)
- Prep (ACT Academy): $0
- Total: $0
- Registration ×1–2 (no Writing): $65–$130
- Writing add-on if needed: $25–$50
- Additional score sends: $0–$64
- Prep: $0 (ACT Academy free)
- Total: ~$65–$244
- Registration ×3 (with Writing): $270
- Score sends (many schools): $64–$128
- Prep course or tutoring: $100–$400
- Total: ~$434–$798
- Take the state-day ACT (free in many states)
- Get a fee waiver if eligible (ask your counselor)
- Use ACT Academy free prep for all preparation
- Take Writing only if target schools require it
- Designate all 4 free score sends at registration
- Best case: $0
Alternatives and Additional Benefits
ACT Prep: Free Resources
ACT Academy is ACT's free, official online learning tool. It provides personalized practice questions and lessons aligned to the ACT curriculum. Available at academy.act.org at no cost.
Fee Waivers for Both SAT and ACT
Many students take both the SAT and the ACT. If you qualify for an SAT fee waiver from College Board, you likely also qualify for an ACT fee waiver. Apply for both at the same time — having scores from both tests gives you maximum flexibility in college applications.
Community College Testing Programs
Some community colleges and community organizations sponsor free ACT testing for students in their communities. Check with local non-profits, community foundations, and outreach programs in your area.
Common Questions
Can I use both an SAT fee waiver and an ACT fee waiver?
Yes. The SAT and ACT fee waiver programs are independent. If you qualify for one, you likely qualify for the other. Both are determined by your school counselor, and you can apply for both in the same year.
Can I use a fee waiver for the optional Writing section?
Yes. The ACT fee waiver covers the optional Writing section (~$25 add-on) in addition to the standard ACT registration fee. You can take the ACT with Writing at no cost.
My school does not have a counselor — how do I get a waiver?
If your school does not have a counselor or you are in a non-traditional school environment, contact ACT directly at act.org or call 1-319-337-1270 to ask about alternative processes for obtaining a fee waiver.
Do fee waivers expire?
Fee waivers are issued for a specific school year and must be used during that year. They do not carry over after graduation. Plan to use both of your fee waiver registrations during 11th and 12th grade.
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