Admission | Application Fee Waiver Weeks

Rice University's Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Doctoral Application Fee Waiver Weeks for the Fall 2026 admission term is now closed.

This program is run annually and is open to all eligible domestic and international students. This waiver will be available for students worldwide to request at the link here from Oct. 14 - Nov. 1, or until all available waivers have been issued. To sign up for updates related to this waiver or request information from your program of interest, please complete the form here (if you have not already). Please note this form is for information only; and is not tied to fee waivers.

The waiver does not apply to programs in the Jones School of Business.

Eligibility Requirements:

- A minimum of 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent.

- A completed application must be submitted by Nov. 27 at 10:59 p.m. CST; if an application is not submitted by this deadline, payment will be required.

- Test scores (such as GRE, TOEFL, Duolingo, IELTS, etc.) may be submitted after the Nov. 27 deadline, as long as they are submitted by the application deadline.

- Students must meet the admissions requirements set by the university, as well as any additional criteria set by your program of application.

- A completed application fee waiver request form by the stated deadline.

Free Fee Waiver Weeks - Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates I need to know about for this fee waiver?

This waiver will be available from Oct. 14 - Nov. 1. A completed application must be submitted by Nov. 27 at 10:59 p.m. CST; if an application is not submitted by this deadline, payment will be required.

What if I submit my application before Oct. 14?

If you submit your application for graduate study before Oct. 14 but wish to participate in Fee Waiver Weeks, you can. Simply complete the fee waiver weeks form when it opens, and ensure you meet all eligibility requirements. You will be considered for a waiver if you meet eligibility requirements and have completed the form before all waivers have been distributed.

Please note that we cannot process refunds.

Can I use this waiver for a master's program?

No, this waiver is only for doctoral programs.

What are the eligibility requirements for the fee waiver?
  • A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (B), or the equivalent. You will be asked to enter your current grade, to the decimal, if applicable - and scale used. Please see the following examples to help you enter this correctly. Please note that these are examples only.
    • Example: United States - 3.5 / 4.0
    • Example: Australia - Band 6
    • Example: Nigeria - A, First Class
    • Example: Philippines - 1.0 / 5.0
    • Example: Mexico - 9.87 / 10
  • A completed application must be submitted by Nov. 27 at 10:59 p.m. CST; if an application is not submitted by this deadline, payment will be required.
  • Test scores (such as GRE, TOEFL, Duolingo, IELTS, etc.) may be submitted after the Nov. 27 deadline, as long as they are submitted by the application deadline.
  • Students must meet the admissions requirements set by the university, as well as any additional criteria set by your program of application.
How do I get my waiver code?

Please note that there is no code that you need to enter on your application; your waiver will be tied to the email address you use for your application. If you already have an application in progress with Rice, please use specify that email address on the request form, or your waiver may not be applied.

My department of application is also offering a waiver; what's the difference?

The Fee Waiver Weeks program is separate from any waivers offered by your program of application. If you are offered a waiver by your home department, their rules supersede any eligibility requirements listed on this page. For example, the Bioengineering Ph.D. program is offering a blanket waiver for 2024 admission. If you are applying to that program, even you've also requested a waiver through Fee Waiver Weeks, you do not need to adhere to the Nov. 27 application deadline. However, you must submit by the Bioengineering program deadline and follow any guidance they give.

Can I use the fee waiver for multiple Ph.D. Programs?

Yes, this waiver can be used for multiple doctoral programs, providing you meet all eligibility requirements and deadlines set. You must make sure to use the same email address for this request form that you use for each application. Please note this waiver is not applicable to master's programs.

I submitted a fee waiver request last year. Will it still apply this year?

No. You’ll need to submit a new fee waiver request. Fee waivers apply only to the specific admissions cycle in which they were approved.

I don't see my waiver applied. Why?

You must have submitted your application for graduate study, in addition to the request form linked to on this page, as well as meet all requirements listed on this page, to be eligible for a waiver. Please note that you may not see your waiver applied until 48 hours after submitting your application.

I have already submitted my application; can I get a refund?

We cannot process refunds.

Can I make changes to the application?

Changes to the application cannot be made after the application is formally submitted; check all details carefully.

Do I need to submit my letters of recommendation and test scores by the Nov. 27th deadline?

No, your Letters of Recommendation and Test Scores need to be submitted by your program's deadline!

How else can I prepare for this opportunity?

We encourage you to attend an upcoming event or campus tour run by one of our Graduate Student Ambassadors, or read one of their descriptive blogs about their grad school experience!

I have a question not addressed by this FAQ.

Questions can be directed to gradadmisisons@rice.edu.

Meet Rice

Those interested in doctoral programs at Rice can also visit with specific programs to discuss graduate study, program requirements and life in Houston, Texas. Applicants are also able to visit with current Rice students at one of our upcoming "Coffee Chats" here. More information forthcoming.