Fee Waivers and Reduced-Cost Testing for Grad and Professional Exams
By Muntasir Minhaz • Published Sep 18, 2026 • Updated Sep 18, 2026 • Graduate & Professional School
ETS, LSAC, and AAMC all run fee reduction programs for the GRE, LSAT, and MCAT. Approved applicants cut a $249 GRE fee to $100, get LSAT registration waived with extra free prep, or drop a $355 MCAT fee to $145.
💵 ETS GRE Fee Reduction Program: pay $100 instead of $249, plus free official prep
💵 LSAC Fee Waiver: covers LSAT registration, a 5-year CAS subscription, and LawHub access
💵 AAMC Fee Assistance Program: MCAT drops to $145, AMCAS fees waived for up to 20 schools
📩 Apply before you register. Approval has to come through first
Eligibility is based mainly on income relative to federal poverty guidelines
ETS GRE Fee Reduction Program
ETS reduces the GRE General Test fee from $249 to $100 for approved applicants, and includes free official test prep materials, according to ETS . Eligibility covers U.S. citizens who show financial need, unemployed applicants receiving unemployment compensation, current college seniors and unenrolled college graduates from low-income backgrounds, and applicants who go through certain national programs that work with underrepresented groups.
Apply through your ETS account before you register. ETS reviews your application and issues an authorization voucher you use when you book your test date, so approval has to land before you schedule anything.
LSAC Fee Waiver
LSAC runs a two-tier fee waiver based on income relative to federal poverty guidelines, according to LSAC . Independent applicants at or below 235% of the poverty guideline qualify for Tier 1. Those between 235% and 260% qualify for Tier 2. Dependent applicants are evaluated on a separate scale that factors in parental income.
Tier 1 includes one free LSAT registration with Argumentative Writing and Score Preview, a second free LSAT, a 5-year Credential Assembly Service subscription, a one-year LawHub Advantage subscription, and 6 free law school score reports. Tier 2 includes one free LSAT, the same 5-year CAS subscription, LawHub Advantage, and 3 free score reports. Recipients also complete two practice tests in Exam Mode and a short application course as a condition of the waiver.
AAMC Fee Assistance Program
AAMC's Fee Assistance Program covers applicants with a household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, according to AAMC . Approved applicants pay $145 for the MCAT instead of the standard $355, get free access to AAMC's official MCAT prep materials, receive access to the Medical School Admission Requirements database, and get an AMCAS application fee waiver covering up to 20 medical school applications.
You need final Fee Assistance Program approval before you select an MCAT test date and location. Apply well ahead of your planned test date, since processing takes time and a late application forces a scramble for a pricier registration window.
Waivers and Reductions at a Glance
| Program | Test | Reduced cost | Extra benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| ETS Fee Reduction | GRE | $100 (from $249) | Free official prep materials |
| LSAC Fee Waiver | LSAT | Free registration (Tier 1: 2 tests, Tier 2: 1 test) | 5-year CAS, LawHub Advantage, free score reports |
| AAMC Fee Assistance | MCAT | $145 (from $355) | Free prep, MSAR access, AMCAS fee waiver for up to 20 schools |
How to Apply
Gather income documentation early: tax returns, unemployment statements, or proof of dependent status, since each program asks for financial evidence.
Apply through the official portal for each test. ETS, LSAC, and AAMC each run separate systems, and approval for one does not carry over to another.
Submit your application before you plan to register, not after. Waiting until close to your target test date risks missing your preferred date and location once approval comes through.
Reapply each cycle if you need to retake a test outside the waiver's covered attempts, since most programs cap the number of free or reduced-cost tests they cover.
What These Programs Do Not Cover
Fee waivers reduce or eliminate the core test and application fees, but they typically do not cover commercial prep courses, tutoring, or travel to a test center. Budget for those costs separately even after a waiver comes through.
What Happens After You Are Approved
Each program issues its discount differently. ETS sends a voucher code you enter during GRE registration. LSAC applies your waiver directly to your account once approved, so the discounted or free options appear automatically when you register. AAMC issues a Fee Assistance Program ID number you enter before selecting your MCAT test date, and the reduced $145 rate applies at checkout.
Save your approval confirmation for each program. Contact the program directly rather than paying full price and hoping for a refund later if a system does not reflect your approved status when you try to register.
How Long Approval Lasts
Approval typically covers one application cycle rather than indefinitely, so a gap year or a delayed application sometimes means reapplying under updated income guidelines. Check each program's specific renewal rules if more than a year passes between approval and when you register again.