You may be eligible for a GSDO application fee waiver when you apply for admission to a research-based PhD or master's program at the University of Minnesota. Please carefully read the information below and follow the instructions provided. Contact the Graduate School Diversity Office ([email protected]) if you have questions.
Eligible Fee Waiver Programs
The Graduate School Diversity Office is responsible only for application fee waivers to research-based PhD or master’s programs. We are unable to provide waivers to applicants who are applying to the following professional programs: College of Veterinary Medicine (DVM); Business Administration (MBA); Medical School (MD); Law School (JD); College of Pharmacy (PharmD); and the School of Public Health (MPH).
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants requesting a fee waiver from the University of Minnesota’s Graduate School Diversity Office must meet the following criteria to receive consideration:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Be seeking to obtain a graduate degree for the first time (current graduate students, those who are seeking a second graduate degree, and those who have already earned a terminal degree are not eligible)
- Meet at least ONE of the following:
- Participated in a graduate school preparation program: Must have participated in a program directed by a program leader that prepares students to earn an advanced degree and pursue an academic and/or research career.
- Submitted an inquiry at a UMN graduate school recruitment event: Must have visited the GSDO recruiter/booth at a recruitment conference/event and completed our GSDO inquiry form.
Steps to obtain an application fee waiver:
- Start an online application, but do not submit the application until you have received confirmation that the application fee has been waived.
- Send the GSDO an email ([email protected]) with the subject Application Fee Waiver.
- Attached to or included in the email must be proof of participation/membership in a program/organization (typically a letter from the program/organization director, documentation, verification form, etc.) or the recruitment event at which you completed a GSDO inquiry form.
- The GSDO will send verification via email of the applied waiver or may request additional documentation/proof, if needed.
- The applicant can submit their application without paying the fee once an email receipt has been sent stating that the application fee has been waived.
Important Information and Reminders for Fall 2025 Applicants
- The application fee waiver request window for Fall 2025 will open on Monday, September 8, 2025, and will run until Friday, December 5, 2025, at Noon CST, or until fund capacity is reached (whichever occurs first).
- Please start your application early, as we will be unable to accommodate requests that fall close to the deadline.
- We are unable to apply a fee waiver if you have not started your admissions application. Please follow your program’s guidelines for application completion deadlines. Additionally, we are unable to apply fee waivers for applications that have already been submitted.
- Only one fee waiver is offered per person.
Big Ten Academic Alliance FreeApp Program
As a member of the Big Ten, the University of Minnesota’s Graduate School participates in the Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) FreeApp Program. The program is designed to increase access to graduate education for domestic students. The GSDO is automatically notified of all applicants who complete a FreeApp request and will email those applicants regarding next steps. FreeApp applicants will need to meet the eligibility criteria listed above to be considered for a GSDO application fee waiver.
Questions about the fee waiver program can be directed to [email protected].