Georgia high‑school seniors will be able to apply to any of the more than 60 participating colleges and universities without paying an application fee during the month of November. The Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) announced the initiative on Thursday, noting that the fee‑waiver program is part of the annual Apply to College Month effort.
Statewide partnership makes college access easier
GSFC has teamed up with the University System of Georgia, the Technical College System of Georgia, and a coalition of private institutions to eliminate application costs for students seeking higher education. Governor Brian P. Kemp praised the effort, saying Georgia is “the Top State for Talent because we make sure each student has a clear path from the classroom to a great education and career right here in Georgia.”
“Georgia seniors do not have to choose between paying application fees and pursuing the next step in their higher‑education journey,” said Chris Green, President of the Georgia Student Finance Commission. He added that the partnership allows students to apply to as many schools as they wish, with no cap on the number of fee‑waiver applications.
How the waiver works
Students who apply to public institutions through the GEORGIA MATCH direct‑admissions dashboard will see the waiver applied automatically. For private schools, applicants must follow the specific instructions listed on the GSFC website, gafutures.org, to claim the free‑application benefit.
The waiver covers the full range of application fees, which vary by school. While a single application might cost anywhere from $25 to $100, the savings can quickly add up for seniors applying to multiple institutions. GSFC estimates that a student applying to ten schools could save several hundred dollars, freeing up family resources for tuition, books, or living expenses.
Six years of the program
This is the sixth year GSFC has promoted free applications in November. Over the years, the initiative has grown to include more than 60 colleges and universities, ranging from large research universities to community and technical colleges, as well as private liberal‑arts schools.
“We are grateful that many top‑ranking USG, TCSG, and private institutions have agreed to allow Georgia seniors to apply for free during Apply to College Month,” Governor Kemp said. “This partnership underscores our commitment to keeping higher education affordable and accessible for every Georgian family.”
Additional resources for students
Beyond the fee waiver, GSFC offers counseling, scholarship information, and grant guidance through regional outreach representatives. Students and families can schedule a meeting with a local GSFC outreach office by visiting gafutures.org/outreach.
The full list of participating schools and detailed instructions are available on the GSFC website. Parents and students are encouraged to start the application process early in the month to take full advantage of the free‑application window.
Original reporting: The Savannah Tribune — read the source article.
