Graduate school is an investment in your future.
To help reduce financial barriers to applying, we offer fee waivers and discounts for applicants who meet specific eligibility criteria.
If you think you may qualify, review the options below and submit your request through the graduate application. If your situation is not listed, contact the Division of Graduate Studies for additional guidance.
Applying to Bioengineering? Joint campus Bioengineering PhD applicants follow a separate fee waiver process.
Learn about bioengineering fee waivers.
Am I Eligible for an Application Fee Waiver?
You may qualify for a fee waiver or discount based on financial need, service or research experience, UO affiliation, or prior graduate application activity.
Select the option that best matches your situation and review the required documentation.
Financial Need
Domestic Applicants - Full Fee Waiver
U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented applicants are all considered domestic applicants.
Eligibility
Domestic applicants are eligible for a full fee waiver due to financial need if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Current recipient of U.S. unemployment benefits
- Current recipient of State of Oregon or U.S. Public Assistance (food stamps, cash, and medical assistance)
- Applicants with one of the following for the current or upcoming academic year:
- FAFSA / ORSAA Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $7,395 or less
- Student Aid Index (SAI) of $6,656 or less
Required Documentation
One of the following:
- Unemployment benefits statement dated within previous 3 months
- Signed and dated statement by caseworker confirming receipt of benefits within previous 3 months
- Part one of your FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) for the previous academic year
- FAFSA Submission Summary for the upcoming academic year
- ORSAA Student Aid Report
- Expected Family Contribution (EFC) letter from a financial aid representative at your current institution
International Applicants - Full Fee Waiver
Eligibility
We offer a limited number of full fee waivers for international applicants with significant financial need. Applicants must be nominated by their prospective program.
Required Documentation
- Your program applies on your behalf
UO Affiliation
Current UO Employees - Full Fee Waiver
Eligibility
UO employees who qualify to receive staff tuition benefits.
Required Documentation
- UO 95 number
Current/Former UO Graduate Students - $30 Discount
Eligibility
Currently or previously enrolled as a UO graduate or law student.
Required Documentation
- UO 95 number
Previous Applicants - $30 Discount
Eligibility
Applicants who have already submitted a UO graduate admission application and paid the graduate application fee within the same admissions cycle. The admissions cycle begins in fall and ends in summer. Example: Fall 2026 through Summer 2027.
Required Documentation
- Applicant login name
Service and Research Experience
Peace Corps / Americorps / Teach for America - $40 Discount
Eligibility
Within the last year, applicant participated in one of the following service organizations:
- Americorps
- ESPIRIT
- National College Advising Corps
- Peace Corps
- Teach for America
- Sapsik'ʷałá
Required Documentation
- A signed letter from your program director verifying your participation within the past year of application date.
U.S. Armed Services - $40 Discount
Eligibility
Service member or veteran of the active, reserve, or guard components of the U.S. military.
Required Documentation
One of the following:
- A copy of your current orders
- DD-214
- NGB-22
Undergraduate Research Programs - Full Fee Waiver
Eligibility
Participant in an undergraduate research program, such as:
- McNair Scholars Program
- Project 1000
- Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)
- Gates Millennium Scholars Program
Required Documentation
- A signed letter from your program director, research mentor, or academic advisor verifying your participation.
Sponsored Programs
Fulbright Applicants - Full Fee Waiver
Eligibility
Applying for admission as a Fulbright applicant through Amideast or IIE.
Required Documentation
- A pdf of your Fulbright dossier
A request can be approved once:
- All required documentation has been submitted
- Your eligibility has been verified
- Division staff have completed their review
Most requests are reviewed within five business days after all required documentation is received. You will receive an email confirming whether your request has been approved. Please do not submit payment until your request has been reviewed.