The University of Alabama Graduate School Application Fee Waiver: Apply for Free

Planning to pursue a master’s or doctoral degree in the United States? Here is an opportunity that can help reduce the cost of applying.

               [At the end, you will find the link to apply for the waiver]

The University of Alabama Graduate School has announced Free Grad Application Week, during which eligible U.S. and international students can apply to qualifying graduate programs without paying the application fee.

Free Grad Application Week: October 5–9

During Free Grad Application Week, The University of Alabama Graduate School will waive the application fee for highly qualified applicants who plan to enroll in a master’s or doctoral program.

The fee waiver is available to eligible U.S. and international applicants, making this a useful opportunity for students considering graduate study in the United States.

Important Dates

• Free Application Period: Monday, October 5 – Friday, October 9
• Application period: October 5 at 8:00 a.m. through October 9 at 11:59 p.m.
• Supporting documents deadline: Sunday, November 15 at 11:59 p.m.
• Time zone: All times are Central Time (CT)

Applicants must obtain an application fee waiver code and use the code when submitting their graduate application during the designated application period.

How Does the Application Fee Waiver Work?

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can request a fee waiver code from the University of Alabama Graduate School.

The basic process is:

1. Review the eligibility requirements.
2. Request your application fee waiver code.
3. Prepare your graduate application and supporting materials.
4. Submit your application to the University of Alabama Graduate School between October 5 and October 9.
5. Enter the fee waiver code when completing your application.
6. Submit all required supporting documents by November 15 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

According to the Graduate School announcement, if the required supporting materials are not submitted by the November 15 deadline, the application fee will be required.

Who Can Apply?

The University of Alabama states that the fee waiver is available to eligible U.S. and international students.

However, applicants should carefully review the university’s eligibility requirements before requesting a waiver code. Meeting the fee-waiver criteria does not necessarily mean that an applicant meets the admission requirements of a particular graduate program.

Students should therefore check both:

• The Free Grad Application Week eligibility requirements
• The admission requirements of their intended graduate program

More Than 160 Graduate Programs

The University of Alabama Graduate School offers more than 160 master’s and doctoral programs across a wide range of academic disciplines.

The university highlights opportunities involving research, faculty mentorship, modern facilities, and academic and professional development.

For prospective international students, this means there may be opportunities across multiple fields depending on their academic background and career goals.

Why Should International Students Pay Attention?

Application fees can become a significant expense when students apply to several universities in the United States.

For international applicants, eliminating an application fee can make it easier to consider another graduate-school option without adding another application cost.

However, students should remember that the application fee is only one part of the total cost of applying to graduate school. Depending on the program and applicant, other expenses may include:

• English-language proficiency testing
• Standardized tests, where required
• Credential evaluations
• Transcript/document preparation
• Application-related document costs
• Visa-related expenses after admission

Therefore, applicants should plan their graduate-school applications carefully.

Don’t Wait Until October 5 to Prepare

Although the application fee is waived during the designated period, applicants should prepare their application materials before the application window opens.

Depending on the program, you may need materials such as:

• Academic transcripts
• Statement of purpose or personal statement
• Curriculum vitae/resume
• Letters of recommendation
• Writing samples
• English-language proficiency results
• Research proposal or other program-specific materials

Requirements can vary significantly between departments and degree programs.

If you are interested in applying, start reviewing your intended program requirements now rather than waiting until the application window opens.

Graduate School Questions? Join a GRAD Connect Q&A Session

The University of Alabama Graduate School also provides GRAD Connect virtual Q&A sessions, where prospective students can meet online with a Graduate School representative and ask questions about the application process.

This can be particularly useful if you have questions about application requirements, graduate programs, or the application process.

Important Reminder for Applicants

The fee waiver does not automatically mean admission.

Applicants should evaluate the requirements of their intended program, prepare a competitive application, and submit all required materials within the stated deadlines.

The University of Alabama’s Free Grad Application Week is simply an opportunity for eligible applicants to apply without the graduate application fee during the specified period.

Final Thoughts

If you are planning to pursue a master’s or PhD in the United States, Free Grad Application Week at the University of Alabama Graduate School may be worth considering.

Eligible U.S. and international applicants can request an application fee waiver code and use it when applying between October 5 and October 9.

With more than 160 master’s and doctoral programs, the University of Alabama offers graduate-study options across a wide range of academic fields.

Start preparing your documents early, check your program requirements, and make sure you understand all deadlines before submitting your application.

Official Information

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, applicants should review the University of Alabama Graduate School’s official Free Grad Application Week information and eligibility requirements before applying.

About Free App Week

The University of Alabama Graduate School will waive application fees for many prospective students during Free Application Week, October 5-9, 2026.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility criteria for Alabama resident applicants, out-of-state applicants and international applicants can be found below. If you meet the requirements for your residency type, request your application fee waiver code. If eligible, you will receive an application fee waiver code via email when Free Application Week begins. Waiver codes will not be distributed before Free Application Week begins.

Domestic Applicants

Alabama Resident Eligibility

• Residents of Alabama must have a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 GPA scale as determined by the UA Graduate School. GPA should be entered for the highest degree earned.
• Those who have already submitted an application and are in the “awaiting payment” status must enter the code in the application portal by 11:59 p.m. CDT Friday, October 9. The Graduate Admissions Office will not automatically waive an application fee or enter a waiver. No refunds will be issued.

Out-of-State Eligibility

• All other domestic applicants must have a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 GPA scale as determined by the UA Graduate School. GPA should be entered for the highest degree earned.
• Those who have already submitted an application and are in the “awaiting payment” status must enter the code in the application portal by 11:59 p.m. CDT Friday, October 9. The Graduate Admissions Office will not automatically waive an application fee or enter a waiver. No refunds will be issued.

International Applicants

Eligibility Requirements

• International applicants are only eligible to use an application fee waiver for Fall Semester 2027.
• All international applicants must have an equivalent 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 GPA scale as determined by the UA Graduate School. GPA should be entered on the selected scale without conversion (see form for more details). If currently completing a U.S. bachelor’s degree or equivalent, use your current GPA. GPA should be entered for the highest degree earned.
• If eligible, you will receive an application fee waiver code via email. Waiver codes will not be distributed before Free Application Week begins.
• Those who have already submitted an application and are in the “awaiting payment” status must enter the code in the application portal by 11:59 p.m. CDT Friday, October 9. The Graduate Admissions Office will not automatically waive an application fee or enter a waiver. No refunds will be issued.

Request Application Fee Waiver Code

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(You must use the same e-mail on the application)

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Accounting MMAAccounting PhDAdvertising  Public Relations MAAerospace Engineering and Mechanics MSAEMAerospace Engineering and Mechanics PhDAmerican Studies MAAnthropology MAAnthropology PhDApplied Mathematics PhDApplied Statistics and Operations Management PhDApplied Statistics MSApplied Statistics PhDArchival Studies CERTArchiving and Preservation of Audiovisual Media CERTArt History MAArtificial Intelligence MSAthletic Training MSATAutism CERTBiological Sciences MABiology MSBiology PhDBiomedical Engineering MSBook Arts CERTBook Arts MFABusiness Administration EMBABusiness Administration MBABusiness Administration PHDBusiness Analytics MSBusiness Cyber Security CERTChemical Engineering MCEChemical Engineering PhDChemistry MSCChemistry PhDChild Welfare CERTCivil Engineering MCVCivil Engineering PhDClinical and Behavioral Health CERTCollege Teaching CERTCommunication and Information Sciences PhDCommunication Studies MAComputer Science MSCSComputer Science PhDConflict Resolution CERTConsumer Sciences MSCounselor Education EdSCounselor Education PhDCounselor Education-Clinical Mental Health Counseling MACounselor Education-Rehabilitation Counseling MACounselor Education-School Counseling MACreative Writing MFACriminology and Criminal Justice MSCriminology and Criminal Justice PhDCurriculum and Instruction EdDCurriculum and Instruction PhDDance MFAData Analytics CERTDigital Communications CERTDigital/Social Media Marketing CERTEconomics (Quantitative) MAEconomics (Quantitative) PhDEducational Leadership EDDEducational Leadership EDSEducational Leadership MAEducational Leadership PhDEducational Psychology – School Psychology EdSEducational Psychology – School Psychometry MAEducational Psychology EDSEducational Psychology MAEducational Psychology PhDEducational Psychology Research EDSEducational Research PhDElectrical Engineering MSEEElectrical Engineering PhDElementary Education EdSElementary Education MAEnglish MAEnglish PhDEnvironmental Engineering MSFamily Nurse Practitioner CERTFinance MSFinance PhDGeographic Information Systems CERTGeography MSGeography PhDGeology MSGeology PhDGerman MAHealth Education and Promotion MPHHealth Education and Promotion PhDHealth Studies MAHigher Education Administration EDDHigher Education Administration MAHigher Education Administration PhDHistory MAHistory PhDHospitality Management MSHuman Development and Family Studies MSHuman Environmental Sciences MSHuman Nutrition MSInformation Systems Solutions CERTInstructional Design CERTInstructional Leadership PhDInstructional Technology CERTInstructional Technology MAInterdisciplinary MAInterdisciplinary MSInterdisciplinary PhDJournalism and Media Studies MAKinesiology MAKinesiology PhDLibrary and Information Studies MLISLiteracy Research, Theory & Pedagogy CERTManagement Information Systems MSManagement MAManagement PhDMarine Science MSMarketing MSMarketing PhDMaster’s Entry to the Profession of Nursing MSNMaterials Metallurgical Engineering PhDMaterials Science PhDMathematics MAMathematics PhDMeasurement and Psychometrics CERTMechanical Engineering MSMEMechanical Engineering PhDMetallurgical Engineering MSMETMuseum Studies CERTMusic DMAMusic MMNursing DNPNursing Education CRTNursing MSNNursing PhDNutrition Sciences PhDOnline ProgramsOperational Hydrology CRTOperations Management MSOperations Management PhDPhilosophy MAPhysics MSPhysics PhDPolicy and Advocacy CERTPolitical Science MAPolitical Science PhDPopulation Health Sciences MSPsychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner CERTPsychology PhDPublic Administration MPAPublic Policy MPPQualitative Research CERTQuantitative Research CERTReligion in Culture MARomance Languages MARomance Languages PhDRural Community Health MSSchool Psychology PhDSecondary Education EdSSecondary Education MASocial and Cultural Studies CERTSocial Work DSWSocial Work MSWSocial Work PhDSpecial Education EDDSpecial Education EDSSpecial Education MASpecial Education PhDSpeech Language Pathology MSSport Management MSStudio Art MAStudio Art MFASubstance Use and Addiction CERTSupply Chain Analytics CERTTax Accounting MTATeaching English to Speakers of Other Languages MATheatre MFATranslational Science and Medicine MSWomen’s Studies CERTWomen’s Studies MAYouth Literature & Services CERT

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Application Type*

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International

Highest Degree Earned

Institution Country*

AfghanistanAland IslandsAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAnguillaAntigua and BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaArubaAshmore and Cartier IslandsAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamas, TheBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBassas Da IndiaBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBermudaBhutanBoliviaBonaire, Sint Eustatius, and SabaBosnia and HerzegovinaBotswanaBouvet IslandBrazilBritish Indian Ocean TerritoryBritish Virgin IslandsBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCayman IslandsCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaChristmas IslandClipperton IslandCocos Islands (Keeling Islands)ColombiaComorosCongo (Brazzaville)Congo (Kinshasa)Cook IslandsCoral Sea IslandsCosta RicaCote D’IvoireCroatiaCubaCuracaoCyprusCzech RepublicDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaEuropa IslandFalkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)Faroe IslandsFederated States of MicronesiaFijiFinlandFranceFrench GuianaFrench PolynesiaFrench Southern and Antarctic LandsGabonGambia, TheGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGibraltarGlorioso IslandsGreeceGreenlandGrenadaGuadeloupeGuatemalaGuernseyGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHeard Island and McDonald IslandsHondurasHong Kong S.A.R.HungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJan MayenJapanJerseyJordanJuan De Nova IslandKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKorea, NorthKorea, SouthKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacau S.A.R.Macedonia, Republic of NorthMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMan, Isle ofMarshall IslandsMartiniqueMauritaniaMauritiusMayotteMexicoMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMontserratMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmarNamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew CaledoniaNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNiueNorfolk IslandNorwayOmanPakistanPalau, the Pacific Islands ofPalestinePanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPitcairn IslandsPolandPortugalQatarReunionRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaint BarthelemySaint HelenaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint LuciaSaint MartinSaint Pierre and MiquelonSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesSamoaSan MarinoSao Tome and PrincipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSint MaartenSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth Georgia and the South Sandwich IslandsSouth SudanSpainSpratly IslandsSri LankaSudanSurinameSvalbardSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTokelauTongaTrinidad and TobagoTromelin IslandTunisiaTurkeyTurkmenistanTurks and Caicos IslandsTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamWallis and Futuna IslandsWestern SaharaYemenZambiaZimbabwe

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If your institution GPA scale is not listed, please visit the Scholaro GPA Calculator to identify the correct equivalent and return to the question above.

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Deadlines

DATE	MATERIALS
Friday, October 9, 2026 5 p.m. CDT	The Free Application Waiver Request Form must be submitted.
Friday, October 9, 2026 11:59 p.m. CDT	The University of Alabama Graduate School application and waiver code must be submitted. Note: Additional documents are not required to submit application and can be added in status portal after submission.
Sunday, November 15, 2026 11:59 p.m. CST	All supporting documents including test scores, statement of purpose, unofficial transcripts and additional document requirements listed in the portal must be received or an application fee will be required.

• Those who have already submitted an application and are in the “awaiting payment” status must enter the code in the application portal by 5 p.m. CDT Friday, October 9. The Graduate Admissions Office will not automatically waive an application fee or enter a waiver. No refunds will be issued.
• Recommenders must be listed at the time of application submission, but the letter from the recommender can be received after application submission.
• If a program requires a test score (GRE/GMAT) for admission or you are required to submit English proficiency scores, absolutely no waivers will be given if using a Free Application Week code. Country exemptions for English proficiency will be honored and if eligible, waived after application submission.

All times are U.S. Central Time.

Please do not contact the Graduate School requesting an update as this will delay processing. Failure to follow instructions could result in exclusion of waiver eligibility

Rules and Reminders

• Applicants MUST use the same email address on the request form and graduate application.
• One application fee waiver is allowed per student and will only be valid for a single application.
• Applicants who wish to submit multiple applications must pay for the application fee for any applications beyond the initial application. Multiple applications for the same program will cause a delay in processing.
• The free application code may only be used for the original term and program. Any changes will require paying an application fee.
• Final determination of the application fee waiver approval is at the sole discretion of the UA Graduate School.
• Admission offered on applications using the Free App Week fee waiver code are not eligible for deferrals.