PSYCAS Application Fees and Fee Waivers

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Fees

Fee Waivers

PSYCAS offers two types of fee waivers:

Financial-Based Fee Waivers, which cover the cost of the first program you apply to ($65).
Service-Based Fee Waivers, which cover the cost of the first three programs you apply ($65, $35, and $35, for a total of $135).
- Note: Even if you qualify for multiple service-based fee waivers, you can only receive one service-based fee waiver.

If you received a fee waiver during a previous cycle, you may still apply for another in the next cycle. You may request a fee waiver as soon as you create an application. Keep in mind that fee waiver funds can be quickly depleted. Contact customer service at 617-612-2088 before you submit a fee waiver request to determine if waivers are still available.

Qualification Requirements

You can only apply for one type of fee waiver per cycle. Additionally, you must request a fee waiver before you submit your application. Requests received after an application has been submitted will not be honored. PSYCAS recommends submitting a fee waiver request by July 31, 2019 to ensure timely processing.

If you are approved for a fee waiver, you are required to submit your application by the end of the cycle. Fee waiver amounts are applied the first time you submit your application. If you don’t use the full amount of your fee waiver in your first submission, you will forfeit the remaining balance and can’t apply it towards future application submissions. For example, if you are awarded three service-based fee waivers, you must use them to apply for three programs in a single transaction or you will forfeit the remaining balance and cannot apply them towards future application submissions.

Financial-Based Fee Waivers

Beginning at the start of the cycle, a limited number of fee waivers are provided to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Each fee waiver covers only the initial application fee, so if you wish to apply to additional programs, you are responsible for the remaining balance. If you received a fee waiver during a previous cycle, you may still apply for another in the next cycle.

You may request a fee waiver as soon as you create an application, but keep in mind that fee waiver funds can be quickly depleted. Contact customer service at 617-612-2088 before you submit a fee waiver request to determine if waivers are still available.

Low Income Levels for 2018-2019 Cycle Awards*

If applicable, use the following chart to help you determine if you come from an economically disadvantaged background.

Size of Family**	Income Level***
1	$24,280
2	$32,920
3	$41,560
4	$50,200
5	$58,840
6	$67,480
7	$76,120
8	$84,760
For each additional person add:	$8,640

* The low income level is based on 200 percent of the US Department of Health and Human Services poverty guidelines. It is used to determine what constitutes a low-income family for the purposes of the SDS and LDS programs for the 2018-2019 cycle.

** Size of family means the number of exemptions listed on the qualified income tax return forms. For example, a family size of 4 may include two parents and two dependents.

*** Income Level refers to the adjusted gross income stated on the 2017 filed federal income tax return 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ.

Service-Based Fee Waivers

To qualify for a service-based fee waiver, you must have participated in one of the eligible service-based organizations:

McNair Scholar
Leadership Alliance
Gates Millennium Scholar
Peace Corps: Information on obtaining a Description of Service (DOS) from Peace Corps in-country volunteers is available here. Upload the DOS to your PSYCAS application.

Click on an organization above to download the fee waiver form. Complete the form, and if necessary, also have a certifying officer or program administrator complete their section of the form.

Applying for a Fee Waiver

Determine when to apply for your waiver.	Keep in mind that fee waivers are valid until the end of the cycle. Be ready to submit your application if you are approved.
Start your application.	You must have an account to apply for a fee waiver. Fee assistance applications are not accepted by mail or email.
Complete and submit your fee assistance application.	Click on your name in the upper right-hand corner of the application, then select Fee Assistance Program. Select either financial- or service-based fee waiver from the drop-down. If selecting financial-based fee waiver, enter your household's adjusted gross income for 2017 and the current number of members in your household. Note that “size of family” includes the number of people claimed as dependents on the tax report. Then upload a copy of the filed 2017 Federal Income Tax Return Form 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ. This form was either filed by you or by someone who listed you as a dependent (such as a parent or guardian). Remember, if you were listed as a dependent, you must submit that individual's tax return form instead of your own. If selecting service-based fee waiver, select the service program from the drop-down. Then upload a copy of the completed document.
Await notification.	Once you submit your fee waiver request, it can take up to ten business days to process. The status of your request will be sent to both your email address and your application inbox. While your fee waiver request is pending, you are unable to submit your application. To submit your application and forfeit your waiver request, return to the Fee Assistance Program section and click Cancel Request. Once you submit your application, you are ineligible to apply for another fee waiver.
Submit your application and pay any remaining balance.	If you are approved, the waiver amount will be automatically deducted from your total fees, and you are responsible for any remaining balance. Contact customer service immediately if you do not see the waiver amount deducted. Outstanding transcripts, evaluations, and/or test scores do not have to be received within this timeframe.