There are fees involved with taking all standardized tests for college admission such as the ACT in Lafayette. Due to testing costs, some students who are having financial difficulties cannot afford to take such tests, thus hindering them from getting into college. What is a student to do if the cost of taking the test is more than they can afford?

If you are one of these students, then you may be eligible for a testing fee waiver, which allows you to take standardized tests free of charge. The ACT also offers a fee waiver for students who are in special circumstances such as students experiencing dire financial situations.

The ACT fee waiver covers the basic registration fee for ACT (with or without the writing option). You can also waive the fee to send your score reports to your high school and up to four colleges of your choice. Just remember though, that the ACT fee waiver is only valid until August 31 each year. This means that you may have to apply for one in your junior year and another one in your senior year.

It is important to note, however, the fee waiver will be only used once upon registration. It doesn’t cover late registrations or changes in the registration (such as a change in test date or change in test options). As said before, the waiver only covers score reports for up to four colleges. Any extra score reports will not be covered by the waiver and will otherwise require you to pay $12 each.

There are some requirements to qualify for the ACT fee waiver. You must be an 11th or 12th grade student and a US citizen or a foreign student studying in the US (as well as its territories) to be able to use the testing fee waiver. Most importantly, you must meet at least one of the indicators of economic need listed on the ACT fee waiver form. For instance, if your family earns a lower-than-average annual income, you are enrolled in a reduced-price lunch program at your school, or are under the care of a foster home, you may be eligible for the ACT fee waiver.

Once your application is approved, you can now use the two fee waivers providing you are eligible for this program. This will enable you to retake the ACT twice for free.

You need to speak your guidance counselor if you would like to learn more about this option. They are the ones who handle the fee waivers for you. Updating yourself with the process and maintaining communication with your counselor will enable you to receive the fee waiver for the ACT ahead of the registration. Don’t delay. If you wait until your senior year to apply, you will miss the chance of taking the ACT in Lafayette twice for free.