Application Fee

Upon submission of an application, applicants will be prompted to pay the processing fee ($90 for all programs). The application processing fee must be paid online by credit card or bank account at the time the application is submitted and is non-refundable. Applicants meeting specific conditions (see below) may be granted a fee waiver, and the application will be processed while that request is reviewed. All fee waiver requests must be submitted after the application is submitted; waivers cannot be granted in advance.

Exceptions: Applicants to a joint BA/MA program or the joint MA/MA in Computational Social Science are not charged an application fee.

Application Fee Waivers

All applicants meeting the following criteria and providing appropriate supporting documentation will be considered for a fee waiver. Applicants requesting a fee waiver must first submit their application and then submit the fee waiver request form located on the application status page. Applicants requesting a waiver must not submit an application fee; application fees are non-refundable once paid even if the applicant is qualified for a waiver.

Application fee waivers are available under the following categories.

Category A: University of Chicago degree program students or alumnus

Any applicant who has received or a from the University of Chicago, or who is currently enrolled at the University and expects to receive a degree from the University, can request a fee waiver.

Category B: Current/recent participants in a qualifying program

Current or recent participants in certain qualifying programs may request a fee waiver. Documentation certifying participation is required. Acceptable forms of documentation include award or acceptance letters, letters from program directors, program completion certificates, etc. Qualifying programs are:

  • AmeriCorps/Vista
  • Fulbright/IIE Fellowship recipient
  • Peace Corps
  • Public Policy and International Affairs Program (PPIA)
  • Ronald McNair Scholars and/or Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program
  • Summer Institute for Social Science Research Methods
  • Teach for America
  • U.S. Armed Forces or uniformed services: Currently serving (active duty or reserve) or honorably discharged

Category C: Current undergraduates receiving need-based financial aid from a U.S. institution

Currently enrolled undergraduate students who are receiving need-based financial aid from a U.S. college or university (including campuses outside the US) can request a waiver of the application fee. A copy of the institution’s financial aid letter or a letter from the institution’s financial aid office is required.

Category D: Valid fee waiver codes received by attending an event or from an authorized representative

Application fee waiver codes are available to individuals attending UChicago Social Sciences virtual and in-person events or in connection with membership in a partner organization. 

Please do not contact admissions offices or faculty to request a code. Not all codes issued by all programs at the University of Chicago are valid for a Social Sciences Division application; questions about code validity should be emailed to gradadmissions@uchicago.edu.

Category E: Individuals experiencing financial hardship

Applicants who are experiencing financial hardship may be considered for a fee waiver by providing a written statement explaining their financial hardship. Applicants must submit approved English-language documentation of their financial hardship, including full legal name and dated within the last 12 months. If original documents are not in English, certified translations can be used. Acceptable documents:

  • Bank statements from the previous 6 months showing deposits and overall balances, and US dollar conversion equivalency. Account number should be redacted.
  • Employer verification of current income, such as a paystub or letter from employer.
  • Government or municipal proof of social welfare assistance.
  • GRE Fee Waiver/Fee Reduction certificate. 

Category F: Alumni of institutions with whom we have an established partnership

The University of Chicago and/or the Division of the Social Sciences has agreements with the following institutions to waive the application fee for their students and alumni:

  • Carleton College
  • Howard University
  • Florida A&M University
  • Ukrainian Catholic University
  • St. John’s College

Transcripts showing current enrollment or degree conferral are required.