Application Fee Waivers

UM-Dearborn has a defined policy for granting application fee waivers, which are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria must submit a request after the application has been started and receive a response before paying the application fee. A waiver will not be retroactively applied to an application that has paid the $60 fee. If the program deadline passes, or if you submit your application, we cannot refund or waive the fee.

Approved Fee Waiver Types

1. United States Military active duty, veteran, or reservist or their spouse/dependent
   • Submit copies of any of the following: 
     • Active Duty Orders
     • Military/Veterans ID Card
     • Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214, 215 or 256)
2. Current Fulbright or McNair Scholar with award letter 
3. U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents demonstrating extreme financial need (financial need waivers are not available to international applicants) 
   • Submit a one-page statement describing your financial hardship situation
4. UM-Dearborn current students, including non-degree, and alumni (include UMID or uniqname) 
5. UM-Dearborn employees (include uniqname, office, and position) 
6. Applicants from countries with SWIFT banking sanctions in place will be considered for a waiver  
   • Copy of ID/proof of residency for eligible country 
7. Attend an eligible recruitment event 
   • The Events page is updated as events are scheduled. Generally a graduate-wide event for all programs and a college-specific event are held in the Fall and Spring. Some colleges may offer a Summer event. 
   • The form below is not required for this waiver type as it is attendance-based. Please register for the event related to your program of interest at the link above. 
   • Event attendees who checked in to the event will receive the code in an email 2 business days after the event with an expiration date. It cannot be requested prior to the event.
   • Application fees paid prior to the event are not refunded.

Requesting A Fee Waiver 

1. Start your UM-Dearborn online application and gather the required supporting documentation noted above for your fee waiver type. 
2. Submit the Graduate Application Fee Waiver Request Form; when submitting the form:
   1. Please make sure that your name on the form matches the name on your graduate application.
   2. Please include valid documentation to support your request.
3. You will receive an email response with your fee waiver decision; if approved, a coupon code will also be provided.
4. If you have a coupon code, it is entered in the final question of the Additional Information section of the Online Application.

Please note:

• Fee waiver approval can take 5 business days (Monday-Friday) once all required information is received. If you have an approaching application deadline, you must make sure to plan accordingly. 
• Falsification of information to obtain a fee waiver may result in the withdrawal of the application or in the revocation of admission.