If the $275 registration fee for the GMAT® is a real barrier, you're not stuck. GMAC offers fee waivers that cover the full cost of the exam, and the process for getting one is more straightforward than you might expect.
But there's a catch: you can't apply directly to GMAC. The waivers are distributed through business schools and partner organizations, which means you need to know where to look and when to ask.
What a GMAT® Fee Waiver Covers
A GMAT® fee waiver eliminates the registration fee for one GMAT® exam attempt. That means you can take the test at a test center (normally $275) or online (normally $300) at no cost to you.
The waiver covers the registration fee and the five free score sends that come with it. That's the same package any test-taker gets, just without the price tag.
What the waiver doesn't cover: rescheduling fees, cancellation fees, additional score reports beyond the five included ones, and any prep materials. If you reschedule your exam after using a waiver, you'll pay the rescheduling fee yourself. If you need to send scores to more than five schools, each additional report costs $35.
A fee waiver can only be used once. If you need to retake the GMAT®, you'll need to either get another waiver (if available) or pay the registration fee yourself.
Who Qualifies for a GMAT® Fee Waiver
Here's where it gets a little unusual: GMAC doesn't set the eligibility criteria. Each school that distributes fee waivers decides for itself who qualifies.
GMAC provides the waivers to schools. Schools decide who gets them.
In practice, most schools look for some combination of the following:
Documented financial need. This is the most common qualifier. If the exam fee would be a genuine hardship for you, schools want to know.
Current undergraduate enrollment or recent graduation. Many schools prioritize current students and recent grads, especially those from their own undergraduate institution.
Intent to apply to an MBA or graduate business program. Schools are investing in potential applicants, so they want to know you're serious about business school.
Participation in access, diversity, or outreach programs. Some schools set aside waivers for candidates from underrepresented backgrounds or specific pipeline programs.
The key point: you don't need to be destitute to qualify. If the fee is a stretch, it's worth asking. Schools would rather hear from you early than have you skip the exam entirely because of cost.
How to Get a GMAT® Fee Waiver
There are three main paths. You can try more than one.
Path 1: Contact Business Schools You're Applying To
This is the most common route. Business schools that accept GMAT® scores can request fee waivers from GMAC, and many do. Each participating school gets a limited number of waivers per year.
Contact the admissions office at a school you're planning to apply to. You don't need to have already submitted your application. You just need to express genuine interest in their program and explain your situation.
A short email is usually enough. Something like: "I'm planning to apply to your MBA program and I'm interested in the GMAT® fee waiver. Could you tell me about your process and whether waivers are available?"
Ask early. With only 10 waivers per school per year, they go fast. If you wait until application season is underway, they may already be gone.
Not all schools participate. A school has to meet GMAC's eligibility requirement (at least 25 official GMAT® score reports received in a 12-month period) and choose to request waivers. If a school doesn't offer them, ask about other forms of financial support for applicants.
Path 2: Contact Your Undergraduate Institution
Many colleges and universities have access to GMAT® fee waivers through their financial aid offices or career services departments. This is often the easiest path if you're still in school or recently graduated.
Visit your school's financial aid office in person if you can. A face-to-face conversation tends to work better than an email for this kind of request. If you're no longer near campus, call them.
Your undergraduate institution may have its own eligibility process, separate from the business schools you're applying to. The waivers still come from GMAC, but your undergrad school controls who gets them.
If your undergrad school doesn't have waivers available, try the business school route as well. There's no rule against requesting from both.
Path 3: Military Service Members and Veterans
If you're an active-duty service member or a veteran, you have an additional option. The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program may reimburse the cost of the GMAT®.
With DANTES, you pay the fee upfront and then apply for reimbursement after you take the exam. The reimbursement covers the test fee only, not rescheduling or other costs.
You can also still apply for a standard GMAT® fee waiver through a school or your undergraduate institution, so military applicants have multiple paths.
Important Details to Know
Fee waivers have expiration dates. When a school gives you a waiver code, it comes with a deadline. If you don't register before the code expires, you lose it. Ask about the expiration date when you receive your waiver.
Waivers don't show up on your score report. Schools receiving your GMAT® scores can't tell whether you used a fee waiver or paid the full fee. Your score report looks identical either way.
You can use a waiver for either format. Test center or online, the waiver covers either one. The online exam costs $300 and the test center costs $275, but the waiver covers whichever you choose.
Each school gets a fresh allotment each year. If a school is out of waivers in the fall, they may have more available after their annual cycle resets. It's worth asking again if you were turned down earlier.
What to Do If You Can't Get a Waiver
If fee waivers aren't available through any of the paths above, there are still ways to reduce the financial burden of taking the GMAT®.
Start with free prep resources. The mba.com starter kit includes free practice questions and two full-length practice exams. GMAT Club and other forums offer free question banks and explanations. You can build a meaningful study foundation without spending anything on prep materials.
Choose the test center format if both options work for you. At $275, it's $25 less than the online format. That's not a huge difference, but if you live near a test center, it's money you can keep.
Be strategic about retakes. Each retake costs another registration fee. If you're not confident you can improve your score, it may be worth waiting and preparing more rather than retaking quickly and paying another fee. Our guide on when to retake the GMAT® can help you decide.
Plan your score sends carefully. You get five free score sends if you select schools within 48 hours of receiving your official score. After that, each additional school costs $35. Know which schools you're targeting before test day so you don't pay for extra reports later.
Our GMAT® cost and fees guide has a full breakdown of every expense associated with the exam, plus tips for keeping your total budget under control.
FAQ
Can I apply for a GMAT® fee waiver directly through GMAC?
No. GMAC provides fee waivers to participating business schools and partner organizations, but individuals cannot apply directly to GMAC. You need to go through a school or your undergraduate institution.
How many fee waivers does each school get?
Each participating school can receive up to 10 fee waivers per year from GMAC. Because the supply is limited, it's important to request one as early as possible.
Does using a fee waiver affect my score report?
No. Your score report looks the same whether you used a fee waiver or paid the full registration fee. Schools receiving your scores can't tell the difference.
Can I use a GMAT® fee waiver for a retake?
A fee waiver covers one exam attempt only. If you need to retake the GMAT®, you'll need to either get another waiver (if available) or pay the registration fee yourself.
Can I use a fee waiver to reschedule my GMAT®?
No. Fee waivers cover the initial registration fee only. If you need to reschedule, you'll pay the rescheduling fee yourself, which ranges from $55 to $180 depending on timing.
What if no schools I'm applying to offer fee waivers?
Try your undergraduate institution's financial aid office as well. If neither option works, start with free prep resources and choose the test center format to save $25. Our cost and fees guide has more tips for reducing expenses.
Are GMAT® fee waivers available for online MBA programs?
Yes. If you're applying to an online MBA program that accepts GMAT® scores, contact that program's admissions office about fee waivers. The process is the same as for any other business program.
What is the difference between a GMAT® fee waiver and a GMAT® waiver?
A GMAT® fee waiver covers the cost of taking the exam. A GMAT® waiver means a school doesn't require you to submit GMAT® scores at all. They're completely different things, and one doesn't affect the other.
Can international students get GMAT® fee waivers?
Yes. The fee waiver program isn't limited to US applicants. If you're an international student, contact the admissions offices at the business schools you're interested in and ask about their fee waiver process.
Want to learn even more?
If you're putting together a full plan for GMAT® prep, these guides can help:
- GMAT® Cost and Fees: What You Will Actually Pay
- GMAT® Registration Guide: Step by Step
- GMAT® Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Take the Test
- GMAT® Accommodations: How to Apply for Extended Time and Other Support
- GMAT® Test Dates 2026-2027: When to Schedule Your Exam
- How Many Times Can You Take the GMAT®?
- How to Start Your GMAT® Studies in 2026
- How to Study for the GMAT®: A Complete Guide
You can also listen to our podcast, The GMAT® Strategy, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube for more strategy breakdowns and study advice.