GRE fee waivers: Slash your exam costs in half

Taking the GRE exam is an important milestone for many individuals aiming to advance their careers in specialized fields. One major concern for prospective test-takers is often the overall GRE cost, as testing fees can present significant financial challenges. If affording the GRE registration is difficult, you may be considering whether a GRE fee waiver or other ways to save on expenses are available.

Fortunately, options exist to reduce GRE test fees for eligible students, ensuring that cost is less of a barrier. One prominent solution is the GRE Fee Reduction Program, which provides financial relief to eligible applicants. In this post, we’ll explain the eligibility requirements and how to apply, and share other helpful tips to help you manage expenses effectively.

What is the GRE Fee Reduction Program?

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) offers the GRE Fee Reduction Program to help eligible candidates reduce the cost of the GRE test. This valuable gre fee waiver is designed for:

• Test takers who can demonstrate financial need and find the GRE test cost to be a barrier
• Unemployed individuals who are currently receiving unemployment compensation
• Current Peace Corps Volunteers
• Candidates associated with national organizations focused on supporting underrepresented groups

Through the GRE Fee Reduction Program, qualified applicants receive a GRE Fee Reduction Voucher that lowers the GRE General Test fee by $120 or the GRE Subject Test by 50%. While the fee waiver cannot be combined with any other discounts or special offers, cutting the usual GRE test cost in half provides a meaningful benefit for those seeking graduate study opportunities.

Eligibility requirements

For those with financial need

Heads up: GRE Fee Reduction Vouchers are given on a first-come, first-served basis. You must either be a U.S. citizen or resident who is a college senior or an unenrolled college graduate. If you’re the latter, you must meet the eligibility requirements and plan to take the GRE in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or other U.S. territories.

The following are the eligibility requirements set by ETS for college seniors:

• You must be receiving financial aid through an undergraduate college in the U.S., U.S. Territories, or Puerto Rico.
• You must be a dependent whose FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) shows a parental contribution of no more than $2,700 for your senior year.
• You are self-supporting and have a SAR showing a contribution of not more than $3,200 throughout your senior year.

If you are an unenrolled college graduate, here are the requirements you must meet:

• You must have applied for financial aid.
• You must have a SAR that declares a self-supporting status and a contribution of not more than $3,200.

If your application for a need-based GRE Fee Reduction Voucher was approved in the last calendar year, you may be allowed to retest at a discount. However, you’ll need to request an additional GRE Fee Reduction Voucher by completing the GRE Fee Reduction Request Form.

Keep in mind that the current date must be within one calendar year of ETS receipt of your initial Fee Reduction Voucher and SAR materials. If your request is approved, you will receive your new voucher number via email within two weeks.

For those who are unemployed

Below are the specific eligibility requirements if you’re unemployed, receiving unemployment compensation, and planning to take the GRE in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or other U.S. territories:

• You must be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien 18 years of age or older.
• You must be currently unemployed and have become unemployed within the past 6 months.
• You must be able to submit proof of unemployment in the form of an Unemployment Benefits Statement submitted within the past 90 days.

If you meet the above requirements, simply complete and submit the GRE Fee Reduction Request Form. If your request is approved, you will receive your voucher number via email within two weeks.

For national programs in the U.S.

ETS also offers the GRE Fee Reduction Program Voucher to programs that work with students belonging to underrepresented groups, first-generation college students, and students in need of financial aid:

• Admit.me Fellows
• Charles B. Rangel Fellowship Program
• EducationUSA Opportunity Fund Program
• Gates Millennium Scholars Program
• i-Scholar Initiative
• Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT)
• Management Leaders of Tomorrow
• Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) Program
• National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science Program (GEM)
• NSF Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program
• Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
• Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) Program
• Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
• The Beinecke Scholarship Program
• TheDream.US
• Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship Program
• TRIO Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
• TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program

If these programs apply to you, take a look at the options above to explore what’s available.

What the GRE Fee Reduction Voucher offers

As mentioned earlier, the GRE fee is reduced by $120 from the original rate (from $220 to $100) when you use the GRE Fee Reduction Voucher. In addition to the price reduction, you gain free access to two extra PowerPrep practice tests, each worth $45, on top of the two initially provided.

Additionally, you’ll also have access to the ScoreItNow!™ Online Writing Practice, a $20 e-reader that automatically scores your two practice essays, simulating the actual e-reader used to grade the real ones.

The total value of all GRE savings is $230, a significant benefit when compared to the normal cost $330.

How to apply

If you meet all the eligibility criteria outlined above, your first step is to complete and submit the GRE Fee Reduction Request Form. Please keep in mind that processing your application may take at least two weeks, so we strongly recommend submitting your form as early as possible to ensure timely access to fee-reduction benefits.

A few other ways to save money on the GRE

Aside from the GRE Fee Reduction Voucher, here are other ways you can save money on GRE costs:

• Submit your scores early. When considering how much the GRE costs overall, it’s important to take advantage of included services: on test day, you can send your GRE scores at no additional charge to four programs. If you wait until after test day, sending your results to each additional school costs $40, which quickly increases how much the GRE can cost you. Even if you’re not certain about your final school choices, sending your scores early helps you avoid unnecessary extra fees.
• Study hard! Reducing GRE costs starts with effective preparation. A poorly planned study routine might lead to failing the exam, meaning you’ll have to pay the full GRE registration fees again for a retake. Making a strong commitment to your study schedule ensures you get the most value from your initial payment and minimizes the risk of paying twice.
  
  

Conclusion: Expanding your opportunities

High GRE test costs should not prevent you from excelling in your graduate studies. The encouraging news is that various financial assistance options are now available, and the program eligibility criteria are structured to support anyone concerned about the cost of the GRE. With more accessible resources, you can get the support you need, easing financial pressures as you prepare for your exam.