International Students Can Apply to Graduate School Without Paying the $75 Application Fee from November 29 to December 6, 2026
Applying to graduate schools in the United States can be expensive, particularly for international students who need to submit applications to multiple universities. Application fees, transcript evaluations, English proficiency tests, and other admission-related expenses can create significant financial pressure.
However, prospective graduate students have an opportunity to save money this admission season. The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) has announced its Free Graduate Application Week, scheduled for November 29 through December 6, 2026.
During this promotional period, UMBC will waive its standard $75 graduate application fee for eligible master’s and doctoral degree applicants. Most importantly, the opportunity is open to both domestic and international applicants.
For students planning to pursue graduate education in the United States, including those preparing applications for Fall 2027, this is an opportunity worth exploring.
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The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is a public research university located in Catonsville, Maryland, near Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
Established in 1966, UMBC has developed a reputation for research, innovation, interdisciplinary education, and academic excellence.
The university offers more than 50 master’s and doctoral degree programs across various academic disciplines. Its location within the Baltimore-Washington corridor also provides students with access to major employers, research institutions, and professional opportunities.
UMBC is classified as a Research 1 (R1) institution, reflecting its high level of research activity.
For prospective graduate students, the university offers research opportunities, competitive tuition, and various graduate funding opportunities.
Here are the most important details of the application fee waiver announcement:
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland, Baltimore County |
| Country | United States |
| Opportunity | Free Graduate Application Week |
| Application Fee | $75 |
| Waiver Amount | 100% |
| Start Date | November 29, 2026 |
| Deadline | December 6, 2026 |
| Eligible Applicants | Domestic and International |
| Degree Levels | Master’s and Doctoral |
| Application Fee | Completely waived during the promotional period |
| Official Website | https://umbc.edu/admissions/graduate/apply-to-graduate-school-for-free/ |
Important: The university has specified that the offer applies to graduate master’s and doctoral degree-seeking applicants. Applicants should check their intended program’s admission requirements and deadlines separately.
One of the most attractive aspects of this announcement is that the opportunity is not restricted to US citizens or permanent residents.
According to UMBC’s official announcement, Free Graduate Application Week is open to:
This makes the opportunity particularly relevant to international students from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Nigeria, and other countries who are considering graduate education in the United States.
Applicants do not need to be US residents to qualify for the promotional fee waiver.
However, applicants should verify that their intended graduate program is accepting applications and that they meet its individual admission requirements.
UMBC normally charges a $75 graduate application fee.
During Free Graduate Application Week, the university will waive this entire amount.
For example:
| Description | Amount |
|---|---|
| Regular application fee | $75 |
| Promotional fee waiver | $75 |
| Amount payable | $0 |
This means applicants can submit their graduate applications without paying the standard application fee during the promotional period.
For international students applying to several universities, saving even one application fee can help reduce the overall cost of the admission process.
Please remember that the waiver covers the university’s graduate application fee, not other expenses such as English proficiency tests, credential evaluations, transcript services, or visa-related costs.
Interested applicants should follow the official instructions provided by UMBC.
Step 1: Visit the Official Fee Waiver Page
Go to the university’s official Free Graduate Application Week webpage:
https://umbc.edu/admissions/graduate/apply-to-graduate-school-for-free/
Step 2: Register Your Interest
UMBC provides a registration form on its announcement page. Applicants are asked to provide:
Use an active email address because the university will send the fee waiver code and additional information to registered prospective applicants.
Step 3: Receive the Fee Waiver Code
According to UMBC, students who submit the registration form will receive a reminder along with the fee waiver code and further information about the Graduate School.
Step 4: Prepare Your Graduate Application
Explore the graduate programs offered by UMBC and identify the degree program that matches your academic background and career objectives.
Review the admission requirements, required documents, and application deadlines before beginning your application.
Step 5: Apply During the Promotional Period
Submit your graduate application during the announced period, November 29–December 6, 2026, and follow the university’s instructions for using the fee waiver code.
Make sure the application fee is waived before completing the submission.
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UMBC offers more than 50 master’s and doctoral programs across different academic disciplines.
Some of its major graduate study areas include:
Students interested in research-based graduate education can explore the university’s doctoral programs and identify potential faculty advisors.
Explore the complete list of programs: https://umbc.edu/admissions/graduate/
Note that the availability of individual programs, admission terms, and application deadlines may vary.
UMBC can be an attractive option for international students seeking graduate education in the United States.
Here are some of the university’s notable advantages.
As an R1 research university, UMBC provides graduate students with opportunities to participate in research projects and work with faculty members across different academic disciplines.
Doctoral students, in particular, can explore research opportunities relevant to their academic interests.
UMBC offers competitive tuition and graduate funding opportunities.
Students interested in research-based master’s and doctoral programs should explore departmental funding, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships.
However, admission and funding decisions are separate. A fee waiver does not guarantee a scholarship, assistantship, or fully funded admission.
The university is located in Catonsville, Maryland, within the Baltimore-Washington corridor.
This location provides access to major employers, research institutions, government agencies, and professional networks.
With more than 50 master’s and doctoral programs, UMBC provides graduate study opportunities in science, technology, engineering, social sciences, and other academic fields.
Students can explore programs according to their previous academic qualifications and future research interests.
No.
Applicants should understand that the Free Graduate Application Week is an application fee promotion, not an admission scholarship.
The waiver simply allows eligible applicants to submit their graduate applications without paying the standard $75 application fee.
Students must still satisfy the admission requirements of their chosen programs.
Similarly, receiving a fee waiver does not automatically qualify applicants for:
Students seeking fully funded graduate education should contact their intended departments and investigate available financial support opportunities separately.
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For Bangladeshi students planning to apply to US universities for Fall 2027, this announcement provides an opportunity to reduce application expenses.
Before applying, consider the following:
1. Is UMBC offering a 100% graduate application fee waiver?
Yes. UMBC will waive its regular $75 graduate application fee during Free Graduate Application Week, November 29–December 6, 2026.
2. Can international students apply for the fee waiver?
Yes. UMBC explicitly states that both domestic and international graduate degree-seeking applicants are eligible.
3. Can Bangladeshi students apply without paying the application fee?
Yes. Applicants from Bangladesh are eligible to participate, provided they are applying to an eligible graduate degree program and follow the university’s instructions.
4. Is the fee waiver available for master’s and PhD programs?
Yes. The announcement covers graduate master’s and doctoral degree programs.
5. What is the regular UMBC graduate application fee?
The regular graduate application fee is $75. It will be waived during the promotional period.
6. How can I receive the fee waiver code?
Visit the official announcement page, complete the registration form with your name and email address, and follow the university’s instructions for receiving the code.
7. Does the fee waiver guarantee admission?
No. All applicants must meet the admission requirements of their selected graduate programs.
8. Does UMBC provide fully funded PhD opportunities?
UMBC offers graduate funding opportunities. However, funding availability, eligibility, and award amounts vary by department and program. Applicants should contact their departments for specific information.
9. Can I apply for Fall 2027 admission using this waiver?
The university’s announcement does not explicitly limit the promotion to Fall 2027. Prospective applicants should check whether their chosen program is accepting applications for Fall 2027 and whether the promotional code applies to that application.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County’s Free Graduate Application Week is a valuable opportunity for students planning to pursue master’s or doctoral education in the United States.
By eliminating the regular $75 application fee, UMBC is making its graduate application process more accessible to domestic and international applicants alike.
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If you are considering graduate education in the United States, take advantage of this opportunity, explore the available programs, and prepare your application in advance.
Remember: Free Graduate Application Week runs from November 29 to December 6, 2026.
https://umbc.edu/admissions/graduate/apply-to-graduate-school-for-free/
Don’t miss the opportunity to apply to graduate school without paying the $75 application fee!
