TL;DR: The GRE fee reduction program cuts the cost from $220 to $100 for eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Four pathways qualify: FAFSA SAI of zero or less, unemployment benefits, McNair Scholars, or LSAMP participants. Apply at least two weeks before registering since voucher processing takes that long.
The standard GRE registration fee is $220. ETS runs a fee reduction program that cuts that cost to $100 for eligible U.S. citizens and permanent residents. If you qualify, it is worth the two-week wait to apply before registering. That $120 reduction is a meaningful amount, especially if you plan to retake.
Who Is Eligible for the Fee Reduction?
Eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents. International students studying in the U.S. on a visa do not qualify. The program has four eligibility pathways:
1. FAFSA Student Aid Index (SAI) of zero or less. If your FAFSA for the current or most recent academic year returned an SAI (formerly EFC) of $0 or less, you qualify. This is the most common pathway for current undergraduates. Your SAI appears on your Student Aid Report, which you can access through studentaid.gov.
2. Unemployment with benefits. If you are currently unemployed and receiving federal or state unemployment compensation, you qualify. You will need documentation showing your current benefit status.
3. McNair Scholars Program participant. If you are currently enrolled in the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, you qualify. Your McNair program coordinator can typically provide the documentation ETS requires.
4. LSAMP participant. If you are currently enrolled in the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program, you qualify. Similar to McNair, your program coordinator is your starting point for documentation.
Each pathway requires proof. ETS does not accept self-attestation.
How to Apply
The process has three steps:
Step 1: Download the application form. The fee reduction application form is available on the ETS website. Search "GRE fee reduction" on ets.org. Do not use a third-party link. Download directly from ETS.
Step 2: Complete and submit with documentation. Fill out the form and attach the required proof for your eligibility pathway:
- FAFSA SAI: a copy of your Student Aid Report showing the SAI figure
- Unemployment: a benefit verification letter or recent unemployment compensation statement
- McNair: a letter from your program confirming current enrollment
- LSAMP: a letter from your program confirming current enrollment
Submit the completed form and documentation to ETS by mail or as directed in the form instructions. ETS updates its submission process periodically, so confirm the current submission method on the form itself.
Step 3: Wait for your voucher. Processing takes approximately two weeks. ETS will send a voucher code to the email address on your ETS account. Once you have the voucher, use it during the registration checkout process to reduce your fee to $100.
Timing
Apply before you register. The voucher has a validity period and is tied to a specific test registration. If you register first and pay $220, ETS will not retroactively apply a fee reduction.
Two weeks is the average processing time, but it can vary. If your target test date is six weeks out, apply now. If your test date is three to four weeks out, apply immediately and keep a backup plan. If the voucher does not arrive in time and you have a hard deadline, you may need to register at full price and consider whether the $120 savings justifies delaying your test date.
What the Voucher Covers
The $100 reduced fee covers one GRE General Test registration. It does not apply to:
- GRE Subject Tests (separate fee structure)
- Rescheduling fees ($55 if you change your date)
- Additional score reports beyond the four free sends ($40 each)
- Score review for Analytical Writing ($60)
- Score reinstatement if you cancel
The voucher gets you in the door for $100. All subsequent fees are standard.
If You Are Considering a Retake
The fee reduction is valid for one test registration. If you plan to retake, you will need to apply again. Eligibility is re-evaluated each time. If your circumstances have not changed, the application process is the same.
For deferred MBA programs, a strong GRE score meaningfully strengthens your application, particularly for programs that evaluate your Quant section carefully. Before scheduling your first or second attempt, know what score range your target programs expect. Take the GRE diagnostic to establish your current baseline, then build a prep timeline that accounts for the two-week voucher processing window before your registration date.
International Students
The fee reduction program does not apply to students outside the United States or to international students on U.S. visas. The standard fee is $220 globally, with the exception of China ($231.30).
ETS does not offer an equivalent program for international test takers at this time. If cost is a significant barrier and you are testing internationally, factor that into your overall application budget alongside score report fees and any potential retake costs.
What to Do Next
- Check your FAFSA Student Aid Report at studentaid.gov to see if your SAI is $0 or less. If it is, you qualify through the most common pathway.
- Download the fee reduction application form directly from ets.org by searching "GRE fee reduction" and confirm the current submission method listed on the form.
- Apply at least three weeks before your intended registration date to give yourself a buffer beyond the two-week processing window.
- After receiving your voucher, take the GRE diagnostic to establish your baseline before scheduling your actual test date.
The GRE course is $25 per month with a free diagnostic to find your baseline before your test date. For help building a full application strategy around your test prep and deadlines, coaching covers the complete picture.
