Georgia Colleges to Waive Application Fees in November
High school seniors can apply to over 60 Georgia institutions for free throughout November 2026.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Financial Aid
Live Poll
Do you believe waiving college application fees is an effective way to increase college enrollment?
Starting November 1, 2026, more than 60 colleges and universities across Georgia will waive application fees for high school seniors. This annual initiative is designed to lower initial college costs for prospective students.
Why it matters
The program aims to eliminate financial barriers by reducing out-of-pocket education costs for high school seniors applying for college admission. It encourages students to explore higher education options without the burden of application fees.
Over 60 public and private Georgia colleges are participating in this program, which marks the sixth year of the state-promoted initiative. Students also have access to $1 billion in total available scholarships and grants for their higher education.
The players
Georgia Student Finance Commission
This state agency manages the program and has promoted the November waiver initiative for six years.
University System of Georgia
This entity oversees the public higher education institutions that provide automatic waivers through the GEORGIA MATCH dashboard.
Technical College System of Georgia
This organization represents the state's technical institutions that are participating in the application fee waiver program.
The details
High school seniors can submit an unlimited number of applications to participating institutions during the month of November. Students applying to public institutions can secure their waivers automatically by using the GEORGIA MATCH dashboard.
Timeline
November 1 to November 30, 2026, is the window when application fees are waived.
Culture Shift
This program reflects a broader movement to increase college accessibility by removing financial gatekeepers for incoming high school seniors. It follows the establishment of the GEORGIA MATCH dashboard, which aims to simplify the path to higher education for Georgia residents.
High school seniors in Georgia can save money by submitting multiple college applications without paying individual fees during November. Students should visit the official portal to ensure their chosen institutions are participating before they submit their applications.
The takeaway
Students should plan to complete their applications during the November window to take full advantage of the fee waivers. Utilizing the GEORGIA MATCH dashboard early can help streamline the process for those applying to public colleges.
Further reading
For additional information, explore the Financial Aid resources available for Georgia students.
More information
To find participating colleges and view instructions, visit the Georgia college application portal.
Live Poll
Do you believe waiving college application fees is an effective way to increase college enrollment?
