Official Page: Case Western Reserve University – Graduate Admissions
Overview
Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) offers a structured graduate admissions process, including a standard application fee. However, depending on your situation, program, or affiliation, you may qualify for an application fee waiver.
Fee waivers at CWRU are not automatic and are not universal, but several pathways exist for eligible graduate, professional, certificate, and non-degree applicants.
Who Can Apply / Who Might Qualify
CWRU does not restrict fee-waiver consideration by nationality. Both domestic and international applicants may request a waiver.
Situations Where a Waiver May Apply
- Severe Financial Hardship: Applicants who cannot pay the fee due to significant financial difficulty may contact their intended program directly to request a waiver.
- Non-Degree or Certificate Applicants: Certain categories have their fee automatically waived, for example: CWRU employees applying for non-degree or certificate programs may receive a full waiver of the standard US$50 application fee.
- Special Affiliation or Partnership Programs: Some graduate divisions (e.g., the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences) have historically offered waivers for participants in recognized programs such as: McNair Scholars Program (availability may vary by year and department)
How It Works
Most applicants applying through the graduate admissions portal will encounter a US$50 non-refundable application fee.
To Request a Waiver
If you believe you qualify due to:
- financial hardship
- employment status
- special program participation
- department-specific waiver initiatives
You must contact your department or program before submitting the fee. Waivers are program-specific and not guaranteed.
For Non-Degree / Certificate Applicants
Some categories — such as current CWRU employees — may have the fee waived automatically when applying for eligible non-degree or certificate programs.
Apply to Graduate Programs at CWRU
Application Portal: CWRU Graduate & Professional Application Portal
From the portal, you may:
- Create or return to your application account
- Select your program (Master’s, PhD, certificate, non-degree, etc.)
- Upload required documents such as unofficial transcripts, CV or résumé,Personal statement, Letters of recommendation (as required)
CWRU typically requires official transcripts and official test scores only after admission, helping reduce upfront application burdens.
### Why This Matters
CWRU’s fee-waiver options help ensure that:
- Students facing financial hardship are not excluded
- International applicants have pathways to affordable application submission
- Non-traditional and certificate-based applicants are not overburdened
- Affiliated scholars (such as McNair participants) have accessible opportunities
The policy reinforces CWRU’s commitment to equity, flexibility, and applicant support.
Bottom Line
If you plan to apply to a graduate or professional program at CWRU, begin your application at: https://applygrad.case.edu/apply/
If you expect financial hardship or believe you qualify under a waiver-eligible category — such as employee status, special academic programs, or department-specific initiatives — contact your program early to request an application fee waiver. This could save you the fee and make the application process significantly more accessible.