GRE Fee Waiver

Are you contemplating taking the GRE test but are not able to register due to the GRE registration fee? Well, there’s good news for you! ETS has announced a GRE fee waiver by way of its ‘GRE Fee Reduction Program’ for you if you fall in one of the categories that we’ll elaborate on in detail further in this article. So, read on!

What is the GRE Fee Waiver?

The GRE fee waiver can be claimed by you by using a voucher that ETS offers. If you meet certain conditions, then you are eligible for a voucher that reduces the registration fee by 50%. The voucher can be used on both GRE general or standard tests for a GRE fee waiver. You will also be glad to learn that you will get free access to the GRE preparation material which otherwise costs $100. The list of GRE preparation material and their costs include:

• POWERPREP PLUS online practice test 1 – $40
• POWERPREP PLUS online practice test 2 – $40
• ScoreItNow! Online writing practice – $20

Eligibility to the GRE Fee Reduction Program

Wondering if you are eligible to receive a GRE fee waiver? If you meet the following conditions, you could be amongst those eligible ones. 

• If you are a US citizen or a resident alien (foreign-born permanent resident of the USA)
• If you have been unemployed
• If you are a college senior or a college graduate but not currently enrolled
• If you are part of a national program for underrepresented

Furthermore, if you are a college senior, you must meet the criteria mentioned below:

• You have obtained or have been obtaining financial aid in the US, its territories or Puerto Rico
• You must be a dependent with a Federal Application for Federal Student Aid Report (FSFA report) that shows that you’ve received a contribution from your parents not exceeding $2500 for your senior year.  Or you are self-supporting and have a student aid report that proves you have received a contribution not exceeding $3000 for the final year.

However, if you are an unenrolled college graduate then the following criteria must be met:

• Show a student aid report that proves your self-supporting status and a contribution, not beyond $3000.
• You’ve applied for financial aid

In case of unemployment, you should be:

• 18 years old or above
• A US citizen or a foreign-born permanent resident of the USA 
• Unemployed at the moment and/or have been unemployed for a duration of six months
• To prove your unemployment, you will also have to produce a copy of your unemployment benefits statement that has to be from the past 90 days of your unemployment.

The GRE fee waiver 2021 also applies to those who are part of national programs in the U.S. If you are a part of any of these national programs mentioned below, you could avail of a GRE Fee waiver by ETS. The national programs are:

• Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
• The Beinecke Scholarship Program
• TRIO Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program
• EducationUSA Opportunity Fund Program
• TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Program
• Gates Millennium Scholars Program
• NSF Lewis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) Program
• Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT)
• National Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science Program (GEM)
• Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) Program
• Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
• Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) Program

If you do not find yourself fitting into any of the above-mentioned programs, you could still stand a chance to claim a GRE fee waiver should you qualify for the Education USA Opportunity Fund Program.

To conclude, ETS charges different registration fees based on the region you are registering and are going to be taking your test from. Besides, the registration fee for a GRE general test can range between $205 to $255 depending on the country you reside in. Moreover,  ETS has made the GRE Fee Reduction program available and you can be eligible for a GRE fee waiver if you meet all the criteria. Also, if you ever change your mind and would like to reschedule or cancel the test, you can do so. 

FAQs

1. Is it possible to get a GRE fee waiver?

Yes it is possible to get a GRE fee waiver. You must submit a GRE fee reduction request form which is available on the ETS website. You must follow the instructions and submit all requisite documents to ETS. If you meet the eligibility criteria you will be sent a  voucher which ETS offers. This will reduce the GRE registration fee by 50%. This voucher is applicable for both GRE standard or General tests.

2. How long does it take to get a GRE fee waiver?

The GRE fee reduction vouchers will be sent to the recipients through mail within 2 weeks once ETS approves the request from their end.

3. How much will the GRE fee cost in 2022?

The GRE registration fees cost $205 in most parts of the world. In India it costs $213 and in China $231.30.