The 2026 Go-To Guidebook for the GRE Fee Waiver (Eligibility, Application & University Benefits)

Start Here: Make the GRE Cheaper

The GRE General Test is not cheap. In many countries it’s about US$220, and in India it’s ₹22,000–₹22,550 in 2025, so families feel it. [ Source: ETS. (ETS India) ]

But the ETS GRE Fee Reduction voucher cuts the General Test fee to US$100 and also gives free official practice tests and writing practice. That means students save on the test and save on prep in one move. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

This section tells you the overall flow first, so you don’t get lost when the later chapters go deep into FAFSA records, unemployment proof, or TRIO/McNair documentation.

How this page is organized

You will first see what the waiver actually pays for. Then the eligibility criteria. Then a do-this-then-this application walkthrough. After that, a documents chapter (this is where most students are delayed), a “what next” chapter, and a repair chapter for denials.

At-a-glance waiver flow

1. Check if you fit an ETS path. Financial need, unemployment, certain U.S. programs, or school-sponsored cohorts. [ Source: ETS. (ETS PDF) ]
2. Download the ETS form. Fill it, attach FAFSA SAR or unemployment documents.
3. Send to ETS and wait ~2 weeks. ETS emails a voucher code. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]
4. Register for the GRE with that code. You will see the reduced price at checkout.
5. Use the same email from ETS to request application fee waivers at certain universities (we list examples later). [ Source: Stanford Graduate Admissions. (Stanford) ]

What the GRE Fee Waiver Actually Covers

This chapter answers the first big question: “If I get this, what exactly becomes cheaper?” You can point students here directly from your counseling page.

1. The core discount

ETS says: if you are approved, you pay US$100 for the GRE General Test instead of the full fee, and you pay 50% of the regular fee for a GRE Subject Test. That is the heart of the program. [ Source: ETS India. (ETS) ]

So if the GRE in your country is US$220 or ~₹22,000, dropping to US$100 is a direct relief. In countries where currency conversion bumps the price, this is a bigger win.

2. Free official prep bundle

ETS also gives a bundle of official prep tools — currently listed as POWERPREP PLUS® Online Practice Test 1, POWERPREP PLUS Online Practice Test 2, and ScoreItNow!™ Online Writing Practice — worth about US$100. This turns the waiver into “test + prep” in one approval. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

That means a student doesn’t have to spend extra on a practice test before checking the GRE score percentiles required by their program.

3. One voucher = one test

The voucher is for one GRE General Test and/or one Subject Test. If a student wants to retake the GRE to push from 310 to 320, they will need to re-apply or pay full price. Tell students this early to avoid frustration. [ Source: Arizona State University Knowledge Base. (ASU) ]

4. What it does not cover

1. Rescheduling fees. Right now ETS lists rescheduling at about ₹5,000 in India, and that’s separate. [ Source: ETS India. (ETS) ]
2. Changing the test center. Also ₹5,000 in India. [ Source: ETS India. (ETS) ]
3. Sending additional score reports to extra universities. That’s still a separate fee, so send scores smartly once you see your target departments.
4. Late registration or special handling. Those are outside the voucher.

The waiver is a door into the GRE itself. It is not a coupon for everything around the GRE.

5. The “hidden” coverage: university application fees

Many U.S. universities make a simple rule: if you can show ETS approved your GRE Fee Reduction, they will also waive their graduate application fee for you. Stanford publicly lists that exact flow — upload the ETS email and the institutional fee is waived. [ Source: Stanford Graduate Admissions. (Stanford) ]

This is where this page becomes link-worthy for admissions offices. They can send students to this chapter and say “use your ETS email here too.”

6. Why this chapter matters for advisors

If you run a university advising page, you want to spell out what’s inside the waiver so students stop emailing “does it cover score reports?” You can embed or link to this chapter and say “these line items are straight from ETS” — and we’ve cited ETS inline above.

Students can then move to the next major question: “Do I qualify?” That is Chapter 2.

Who Is Eligible: The 5 Official Paths

This is the chapter most students will read twice. ETS has several doors into the GRE Fee Reduction Program. If you meet any of them and can prove it, you can get the voucher. [ Source: ETS PDF. (ETS) ]

We’ll walk through each path slowly and tell you what document to collect for it. That way, Chapter 5 (documents) becomes easy.

Eligibility Overview

ETS states that fee reduction vouchers are for individuals who can demonstrate financial need, for those who are unemployed and receiving unemployment compensation, for participants in certain national programs, and for those supported by institutions. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

Path 1: Financial-need students (FAFSA/SAR based)

This is the most common. You applied for financial aid in the U.S. and you have a FAFSA Student Aid Report (now called SAI in many places). ETS wants to see that your expected contribution is not above their threshold, and that you’re self-supporting (not dependent on parents) if you’re applying that way. [ Source: ETS PDF. (ETS) ]

You will attach that SAR/SAI to the ETS fee reduction request form. That’s it. If you were approved in the last 12 months, ETS often lets you submit only the form the second time.

Path 2: Unemployed and receiving benefits

ETS makes a special door for people who are currently unemployed in the U.S. and getting unemployment compensation. You must send the form and a copy of a weekly unemployment statement dated within the past 90 days. [ Source: ETS PDF. (ETS) ]

This is a powerful path for career-changers or workers laid off who now want to apply to grad school or business school.

Path 3: National programs that support underrepresented groups

ETS explicitly calls out that it gives vouchers to national programs that work with underrepresented groups. That’s why you will see McNair, TRIO, and similar programs appear in university financial aid pages. They can distribute or help students request vouchers. [ Source: ETS. (ETS) ]

If you are an advisor maintaining a TRIO or McNair resource page, you can link directly to this chapter and tell students to check both Path 1 and Path 3.

Path 4: Institution-sponsored / school-arranged

Some graduate schools and undergraduate institutions in the U.S. arrange GRE fee reductions for their seniors or for pipeline programs. If that is your case, you may not need to submit as many individual financial documents because the school vouches for you.

This is where this guide helps schools too: they can embed the application chapter and the documents chapter to give their seniors one consistent place to follow.

Path 5: Previously approved within the past year

ETS notes that if you were approved in the past calendar year for financial need, you can often submit only the form this time. That’s handy for students who planned a retake. [ Source: ETS PDF. (ETS) ]

But tell students: a future retake is not guaranteed to be discounted. Process it early.

International students note

International students reading this from India or other regions should know that most of the ETS documentation targets U.S.-based financial aid systems. Several popular study-abroad blogs in 2025 noted that many universities do not offer GRE fee waiver options for international students, so always verify with the target program. [ Source: upGrad Study Abroad. (upGrad) ]

Still, the main ETS waiver page is global, and the US$100 General Test price is visible from India too, so it is worth applying. [ Source: ETS India. (ETS) ]

How to Apply Step by Step

Good news: once you know which eligibility path you’re on, the GRE Fee Waiver application is pretty mechanical. ETS even gives you the form as a PDF and tells you to expect the voucher email in about two weeks. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Form. (ETS) ]

Here we’ll walk through the real flow students follow, so you can copy this into your advising notes or embed it in your university blog.

Step 1: Confirm your path

Go back to the eligibility chapter and decide: are you U.S.-based with a FAFSA/SAR? Are you unemployed and getting compensation? Are you part of TRIO/McNair or an institution-backed group? Each path needs a slightly different attachment. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Program. (ETS) ]

If you are advising international students, tell them to grab a current screenshot of the ETS India GRE fee page to show the real price they are trying to reduce; it helps them understand the impact. [ Source: ETS India GRE Fees. (ETS India) ]

Step 2: Download the 2025–26 ETS GRE Fee Reduction Form

ETS keeps the form as a PDF. For 2025–26 it’s called “GRE Fee Reduction Voucher Request Form.” Students must download it, fill their details, and attach proof. [ Source: 2025–26 GRE Fee Reduction Voucher Request Form. (ETS) ]

Because this guide is for 2026, tell students to always check the newest PDF on the ETS site in case the address, email, or voucher handling updated for that cycle.

Step 3: Fill personal and contact details carefully

Students rush this part and then ETS has to clarify the email, which delays the voucher. Tell them to make the ETS account email and the email on the form the same. ETS will send the voucher there. [ Source: Magoosh GRE Fee Waiver Guide. (Magoosh) ]

If they don’t have an ETS account yet, now is the time to create one at ETS GRE registration and then match the emails. [ Source: ETS GRE Registration. (ETS) ]

Step 4: Attach the right proof

This is the most important step, so we’ll go deeper in the next chapter. For now, the rule is: send exactly what ETS asked for your category, and make sure the document is recent (ETS says unemployment statements must be within the last 90 days). [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Form. (ETS) ]

Step 5: Submit to ETS

For 2025–26, the form tells you where to send it. Some schools collect the forms and send in batches; others tell students to mail or upload directly. Follow the instruction on that year’s PDF — do not use an old mailing address or email from a blog post. [ Source: 2025–26 GRE Fee Reduction Voucher Request Form. (ETS) ]

Step 6: Wait for the voucher email (about 2 weeks)

ETS says vouchers are sent via email within about two weeks of approval. That means students should not schedule the test for tomorrow. They should apply first, get the voucher, and then pick the date at the lower price. [ Source: 2025–26 GRE Fee Reduction Voucher Request Form. (ETS) ]

Step 7: Register for the GRE using the voucher

Once the email arrives, the student logs in to the ETS account, registers for the GRE General Test or Subject Test, and applies the voucher. The payment screen will show the US$100 price for the General Test or 50% off the Subject Test. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Program. (ETS) ]

At this point, they can also start using the free POWERPREP PLUS tests to align with the GRE syllabus 2026 and get ready for verbal and quant.

Ordered checklist: what to tell students

1. Apply before choosing a test date. Otherwise they pay full price.
2. Use the same email everywhere. ETS form, ETS account, university waiver requests.
3. Attach recent documents. SAR for the current aid year; unemployment within 90 days.
4. Watch the inbox. Some emails land in spam. Tell them to check there.
5. Register fast once approved. The voucher has terms and dates; don’t let it expire.

What if I need the test in 10 days?

Then the waiver may not arrive in time. Students in that situation can do one of two things: (1) pay full price for the urgent test and apply the waiver to a retake later, or (2) move the application deadline by choosing a later test date. Since rescheduling fees in India are ₹5,000, it’s better to plan upfront. [ Source: ETS India GRE Fees. (ETS India) ]

Why advisors love this flow

Because it’s predictable. You can paste this section into a counseling newsletter and it still works. And since the cost numbers are backed by ETS, it increases trust for your readers.

Documents and Proof You Must Collect

This is the chapter where most applications slow down. ETS is clear about what it wants, but students often send old FAFSA pages or unemployment statements that are too old. If you fix documents, approvals go faster. [ Source: GRE Fee Reduction Request Form. (ETS) ]

Document principle #1: match the path

If you are claiming financial need, send the financial-aid document. If you are claiming unemployment, send the unemployment document. Don’t mix sources or send “general hardship” letters unless ETS or your institution says so.

Document principle #2: make it current

ETS states “dated within the past 90 days” for unemployment; FAFSA/SAR must be for the current aid year. Universities that give application fee waivers based on ETS emails also say “10 business days before your program deadline,” so everything is tied to time. [ Source: Stanford Graduate Admissions Waivers. (Stanford) ]

Document principle #3: send clean copies

Scans should show your name clearly, the date, and the statement that shows your benefit or aid. If your name changed (marriage, different spelling), add an ID page that shows the current name.

Required document sets by path

1. Financial-need students (U.S.)

1. Completed ETS GRE Fee Reduction Request Form.
2. FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) or SAI page for the current academic year.
3. Proof of enrollment or upcoming enrollment if the form asks (some schools submit as a batch).

2. Unemployed and receiving compensation

1. Completed ETS form.
2. Declaration of Unemployment form if ETS links to one in the current year.
3. Unemployment benefits statement within the last 90 days.

Advisors should warn students not to send job-offer letters or a general “I don’t have a job” note — ETS wants official unemployment compensation proof. [ Source: GRE Fee Reduction Request Form. (ETS) ]

3. TRIO / McNair / national program participants

1. Completed ETS form.
2. Letter or statement from the program that confirms you are a current participant.
3. Any extra sheet the program gives for standardized test fee waivers.

Because these are recognized by ETS, such letters carry weight. Students should get them signed on official letterhead.

4. Institution-sponsored waiver

1. Completed ETS form.
2. Letter from your school saying you are eligible for a GRE fee reduction.
3. Any financial-aid or enrollment proof the school asks you to attach.

Some universities do this to send many seniors to grad school. Their financial-aid office may even host the form. You can link them to this page so all students read the same instructions.

Common mistakes that cause delays

1. Old FAFSA year. Students send last year’s SAR and ETS can’t verify current financial need.
2. Unemployment without date. ETS needs to see it’s within 90 days. Screenshots must show date. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Form. (ETS) ]
3. Name mismatch. Form says “Andrew,” benefit statement says “A. Williams.” Add an ID.
4. Wrong destination. Student mailed to an old ETS address copied from a forum. Always use the address on the newest PDF.

What to keep for university application fee waivers

Some universities like Stanford say “upload your ETS GRE Fee Reduction email 10 business days before the program deadline.” So tell students to save the original ETS email, not only the voucher number. [ Source: Stanford Application Fee. (Stanford) ]

They can then reuse that email as part of their grad-school application stack along with their GRE score reporting plan.

Mini document-prep flow

1. Create a folder called “GRE Fee Waiver 2026.”
2. Download the ETS form and save it there.
3. Download/scan your FAFSA SAR or unemployment statement and put it there.
4. Scan program letters (TRIO/McNair) with signatures.
5. Save the ETS approval email once you get it.

This way, when you also apply for university application fee waivers, you have everything in one place and can submit within their 10-business-day window. [ Source: Stanford Program Participation Waivers. (Stanford) ]

Why this matters for 2026

As more universities move to online-only application portals, they are pushing the document verification earlier in the process. Students who have their ETS email and financial-aid docs ready will get decisions faster and won’t miss department-specific fee waiver deadlines.

Advisors can link straight to this chapter from their “How to pay for GRE” guides, alongside topics like GRE fee breakdown 2026 and GRE registration steps.

After Approval: Using the Voucher and Unlocking University Benefits

Once ETS says “approved,” the rest is about timing. The email they send has your GRE Fee Reduction voucher and instructions to redeem it inside your ETS account. ETS states that vouchers are emailed within about two weeks of approval, so if it’s been longer, students should check spam or contact ETS. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Voucher Request Form. (ETS) ]

From this point, the student can do two valuable things: (1) register for the GRE at US$100, and (2) reuse the same approval email to request graduate application fee waivers at universities that accept it, such as Stanford, which asks students to submit waiver requests 10 business days before the program deadline. [ Source: Stanford Graduate Admissions – GRE Fee Reduction Waivers. (Stanford) ]

How to redeem the GRE voucher

1. Sign in to your ETS account. Use the same email you used on the form.
2. Click “Register for the GRE General Test.” Pick your test mode (test center or at home). [ Source: ETS GRE Registration. (ETS) ]
3. Choose your test date and location. Remember that rescheduling in India costs ₹5,000, which is not covered by the waiver, so choose carefully. [ Source: ETS India GRE Fees. (ETS India) ]
4. Enter the voucher code at payment. You should see the price drop to US$100 for the General Test or 50% for the Subject Test. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Program. (ETS) ]
5. Complete booking. You will receive a confirmation email from ETS with your test details.

When to register after getting the voucher

Register soon. The voucher is not meant to sit in the inbox for months. Students aiming for fall 2026 intake should match their GRE test date to the timeline for score reporting and university deadlines, and then add the bonus step of applying for application fee waivers at least 10 business days before those deadlines. [ Source: Stanford Application Fee. (Stanford) ]

Use your free prep right away

ETS clearly says that people who receive the GRE Fee Reduction voucher also receive free access to POWERPREP PLUS® Online Practice Tests 1 and 2 and ScoreItNow!™ Online Writing Practice — worth about US$100. Start those immediately so you can fit them into a 30-day GRE study plan or a 60-day GRE study plan. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Program. (ETS) ]

This is the part many students miss — they get the cheaper test but forget to cash in the free prep.

Bonus: universities that connect to ETS fee reduction

Stanford explicitly says that applicants with a GRE Fee Reduction voucher can request a graduate application fee waiver, but they must submit it 10 business days before the program deadline. That’s a clean example of the “hidden” benefit of doing the ETS waiver first. [ Source: Stanford Graduate Admissions – GRE Fee Reduction Waivers. (Stanford) ]

Other U.S. universities have similar pages, but they may tuck the info under “program participation” or “school-based waivers,” so students should search the school’s graduate admissions site for “fee waiver” and “GRE fee reduction.” [ Source: Stanford School-Based Waivers. (Stanford) ]

Template search to find more schools

1. Search: site:.edu “GRE fee reduction”
2. Search: site:.edu “application fee waiver” “GRE fee reduction”
3. Search: site:.edu “program participation waiver” graduate
4. Search: “application fee” “10 business days” graduate

These searches pull up U.S. pages that behave like Stanford’s, so advisers can maintain a mini list for their institution.

What if the student wants to test at home?

ETS lets you take the GRE at home if your computer and room meet the requirements. The voucher is still applied through the same ETS checkout; the main cost differences are in special services (rescheduling, test-center changes) which are outside the waiver. [ Source: ETS GRE Registration. (ETS) ]

Keep everything

Tell students to keep the ETS approval email, the voucher code, and the final payment confirmation. They can reuse the email as proof for schools, and if there’s a payment mismatch, ETS support can see what happened.

Why this chapter is link-worthy

Most blog posts stop at “you can get the GRE for US$100.” They don’t go into the second-order benefit — cheaper applications. That’s why admissions offices, fellowships, TRIO/McNair pages, and test-prep companies can link here instead of writing their own partial explainer.

If ETS Says No: Fixes, Appeals, and Alternatives

Sometimes ETS does not approve the request on the first try. That doesn’t have to be the end. In 2025 the official PDF says ETS sends vouchers when requests are approved and that eligibility is based on specific criteria — so if the criteria were not clearly shown in the documents, you can fix them and re-send. [ Source: 2025–26 GRE Fee Reduction Voucher Request Form. (ETS) ]

This chapter gives students and advisors a straightforward troubleshooting script.

Step-by-step troubleshooting

1. Read the ETS message carefully. Did they say the document was missing, outdated, or not acceptable?
2. Compare your path with the PDF. Make sure you applied under the right category — unemployment vs. financial need. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Program Policies. (ETS) ]
3. Update the document. For unemployment, get a statement dated within 90 days. For FAFSA, download the current year’s SAR.
4. Resubmit using the address or method in the current PDF. Don’t use an old blog address.
5. Follow up within a week. A short, polite email asking whether the updated document is sufficient is okay.

Common rejection reasons

1. Document date too old. ETS is strict about dates for unemployment compensation. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Form. (ETS) ]
2. Not one of the listed programs. Some students write “I am in a mentoring program” but ETS only listed specific national programs.
3. Income not shown clearly. FAFSA/SAR page did not include the key figure.
4. Name/email mismatch. ETS can’t tie the form to the account.

When you truly don’t qualify

Some students will read this guide and find they just don’t match any ETS criteria. Maybe they are international and not on a U.S. aid system, or their income is just above the line. In that case, they should still look at the other fee-reduction levers below.

Alternative levers to reduce GRE cost

1. Apply through your target university for an application fee waiver. Many graduate offices have school-based waivers separate from ETS, processed on a first-come, first-served basis. [ Source: Stanford School-Based Waivers. (Stanford) ]
2. Plan test dates to avoid rescheduling. Rescheduling a GRE in India is ₹5,000, which is a big chunk of the original fee. Plan the date around your GRE study plan so you hit it the first time. [ Source: ETS India Fees. (ETS India) ]
3. Use free official prep. Even without the voucher, ETS and trusted test-prep sites publish free materials so you don’t have to buy several courses.
4. Choose programs that no longer require GRE. Some U.S. master’s programs made GRE optional; if the testing cost is the blocker, apply to those first. [ Source: upGrad GRE Guide 2025. (upGrad) ]

Appealing with better context

Advisors can write a short cover note explaining that the student is on a grant-funded program, is first-generation, or has a financial emergency. ETS doesn’t promise to accept every such note, but it can clarify gray areas.

If multiple students from the same institution are getting denied for the same reason, the institution can contact ETS directly and ask for the current-year instructions so they can fix their internal guidance.

Important for 2026 admissions cycle

Because many graduate schools now process application fee waivers on a rolling basis and in limited numbers, students who don’t get the ETS waiver should still request school-based waivers quickly. Stanford’s page is clear that these are first-come, first-served. [ Source: Stanford School-Based Waivers. (Stanford) ]

Build Your GRE Funding Stack

This pillar page is meant to reduce total out-of-pocket cost, not just the ETS test fee. So here is how to stack the pieces: ETS waiver, university application waivers, smart scheduling, and free prep.

1. Start with the ETS waiver

It’s the only part that can directly drop the GRE General Test price to US$100 and hand you US$100 of official prep in the same step. Always apply for it first. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Program. (ETS) ]

2. Add university fee waivers

Once you have the ETS approval email, search the grad schools you want to apply to and look for “GRE fee reduction waivers,” “program participation waivers,” or “school-based waivers.” Stanford, for example, lets you apply under several of these labels. [ Source: Stanford Graduate Admissions. (Stanford) ]

3. Keep GRE test-day costs low

On ETS India’s 2025 fees page, moving a test or changing the center costs ₹5,000. That’s completely avoidable. Plan your location, internet (for at-home), and ID documents early, following the full GRE registration steps, so you don’t pay special handling later. [ Source: ETS India GRE Fees. (ETS India) ]

4. Use free or low-cost prep aligned to 2026 syllabus

There are official free materials on ETS, plus you can follow our GRE study plan 30 days or a longer plan to avoid buying multiple courses. That keeps your total spend closer to the reduced-test amount.

5. Protect your score reports

After the test, you can send four score reports for free if you choose recipients on test day. Additional reports cost money, so pick your schools in advance using the GRE score percentiles guide and each school’s minimums.

Stacking example for a 2026 applicant

1. October 2025: Apply for ETS GRE Fee Reduction with current SAR. Get approved in two weeks. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Voucher Request Form. (ETS) ]
2. November 2025: Register for February 2026 GRE using the voucher.
3. November–December 2025: Use free POWERPREP PLUS and follow a 60-day plan.
4. January 2026: Submit application fee waiver requests to target universities 10 business days before their deadlines. [ Source: Stanford Graduate Admissions – Fee Waivers. (Stanford) ]
5. February 2026: Test, report scores to four schools for free, avoid extra score report fees.

Do this and you have a realistic, linkable plan to send to students who tell you “GRE is too expensive.” You can paste this into your department site next to other money pages like GRE fee breakdown 2026 and “How to pick a GRE test date.”

Wrap-Up: Your GRE Fee Waiver Action Kit

You now have the whole flow in one place — eligibility, the ETS form, which documents to attach, how to redeem the voucher, and how to convert that same approval email into application fee waivers at universities like Stanford. [ Source: Stanford Graduate Admissions – GRE Fee Reduction Waivers. (Stanford) ]

If you’re an advisor, you can point students to specific chapters — eligibility for screening, documents for bottlenecks, and the post-approval chapter for universities. If you’re a student, follow the ordered steps below and you’ll avoid 90% of common mistakes.

Final 7-step action list

1. Check your path. FAFSA/SAR, unemployment with compensation, TRIO/McNair, or institution-sponsored. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Program. (ETS) ]
2. Download the latest ETS GRE Fee Reduction Request Form. 2025–26 version, from ETS. [ Source: GRE Fee Reduction Voucher Request Form. (ETS) ]
3. Attach current documents. FAFSA for current aid year or unemployment within 90 days.
4. Submit and wait for the email. About two weeks. Watch spam.
5. Register for the GRE with the voucher. Pay US$100 for the General Test and unlock free prep. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Program. (ETS) ]
6. Use the ETS email to request application fee waivers at universities that accept it (some need 10 business days). [ Source: Stanford Application Fee. (Stanford) ]
7. Prep with the free POWERPREP PLUS tests alongside the GRE syllabus 2026 and a GRE study plan.

Do these in order and you’ll have lowered the GRE cost, made your prep free, and reduced your grad application costs — exactly what this 2026 guide was written for.

FAQs

These are the 12 questions students, counselors, and graduate offices ask most about the GRE Fee Waiver. Where the answer depends on ETS or a university’s current policy, we’ve cited the original page so you can double-check the 2026 details.

1. Is the GRE Fee Waiver the same as the ETS “GRE Fee Reduction Program”?

Yes. ETS calls it the “GRE Fee Reduction Program.” Students and blogs often call it the “GRE Fee Waiver.” It’s the same program that lowers the GRE General Test to US$100 and gives free official prep. [ Source: ETS Fee Reduction Program. (ETS) ]

2. How long does ETS take to send the voucher?

ETS says vouchers are emailed within about two weeks of approval. Tell students to apply early — before they pick their test date — and to check their spam folder. [ Source: GRE Fee Reduction Voucher Request Form. (ETS) ]

3. Can I use the voucher for a GRE Subject Test?

Yes. Approved students pay 50% of the regular fee for a GRE Subject Test. That’s explicitly stated in the 2025–26 ETS instructions. [ Source: ETS Test Takers – Fees and Reductions. (ETS) ]

4. Does the waiver cover rescheduling or changing my test center?

No. Rescheduling in India is ₹5,000 and changing the test center is ₹5,000, and these are not covered by the GRE Fee Reduction voucher. Plan your date and location before you redeem the code. [ Source: ETS India GRE Fees. (ETS India) ]

5. I’m unemployed — what document does ETS want?

ETS wants the completed GRE Fee Reduction request form plus proof of unemployment compensation dated within the last 90 days. Screenshots should show your name and date. [ Source: GRE Fee Reduction Voucher Request Form. (ETS) ]

6. I’m on a TRIO/McNair program. Do I still need to show FAFSA?

Not necessarily. ETS recognizes certain national programs. If your program issues an official participation letter, attach that with the ETS form. Always match what the current-year PDF asks for. [ Source: ETS GRE Fee Reductions. (ETS) ]

7. Can international students in India get this discount?

Yes — ETS India shows the GRE fee reduction page and the US$100 reduced price for approved students, but proof requirements are written mainly for U.S. financial-aid systems, so international students should read the current ETS instructions carefully. [ Source: ETS India GRE Fee Reductions. (ETS) ]

8. Do universities really waive application fees if I have this ETS email?

Some do. Stanford is a public, current example: they tell applicants to upload the ETS GRE Fee Reduction email 10 business days before the deadline to receive an application fee waiver. Other schools have similar pages under “program participation waivers.” [ Source: Stanford Graduate Admissions – GRE Fee Reduction Waivers. (Stanford) ]

9. What if ETS says no the first time?

Fix the exact issue they mention — usually outdated FAFSA or unemployment without date — and resubmit using the address on the current PDF. Many denials are document problems, not eligibility problems. [ Source: GRE Fee Reduction Voucher Request Form. (ETS) ]

10. Can I use the voucher for a retake?

The voucher is for one test. If you want to retake, you will need to pay full price or see whether you can qualify again in the next cycle. Apply early if you think you might need more than one attempt. [ Source: ASU FAQ on GRE Fee Reductions. (ASU) ]

11. Does the voucher expire?

Yes, ETS vouchers come with terms — they must be used by the date stated in the email. Tell students to register as soon as the email arrives so they don’t miss the window. [ Source: ETS GRE Fee Reduction. (ETS) ]

12. Where can I see the most current rules?

Always on the current-year ETS GRE Fee Reductions page and the current-year PDF form. Blog posts — even this pillar — must be checked against that official page each year. [ Source: ETS GRE Fee Reductions. (ETS) ]

Content Integrity Note

This 2026 guide was written to centralize the GRE Fee Waiver process so universities, counselors, and students don’t have to piece it together from multiple sources. All rules about eligibility, documents, and voucher handling come from ETS or from university graduate-admissions pages cited above. Always check those sources in case they update dates, dollar amounts, or document formats.

The step-by-step flow, document checklists, and linkable action sections were organized by Andrew Williams (10+ years coaching GRE candidates who later entered top universities) so that you can reuse them inside student portals, PDF handouts, and advising newsletters.