Application Fee Waiver

HCDE Application Fee Waivers

Fee Waiver Options:
A) For those interested in a fee waiver for an application for the HCDE PhD, please know that PhD admissions for Autumn 2026 has been suspended. You can read more details here. Please come back to this page in Autumn 2026 when it will be time to apply for Autumn 2027.

B) If you’re applying to one of our certificates (UCD or HCAI), then if you’ve completed another UW Engineering graduate stacked certificate already, you will qualify for a fee waiver. To request that fee waiver, you’ll need to start an application for UCD or HCAI (whichever one you’re applying to), and when the application portal asks you if you’ve completed another UW Engineering graduate stacked certificate, then you answer yes. After that, the graduate school will confirm your answer by checking their records, and will grant a fee waiver.

C) For Autumn 2026 MS HCDE admissions, we’re excited to announce a new program for people who are interested in actively engaging with our program: the Readiness and Mentorship Application Program (RMA Program). The RMA Program will include events and meetings during November & December 2025 that are centered around getting to know the MS in HCDE. Those who participate in the RMA Program will qualify for a fee waiver if they then choose to apply to the MS in HCDE. To request to participate in the RMA Program, please fill out this form before November 6th 2025: link.

D) For Autumn 2026 MS HCDE admissions, we also have an HCDE fee waiver available to those who have actively engaged in programs that fit our selection criteria. To request this waiver, you'll need to fill out the Application Fee Waiver Request Form. 
Please see more details about Option D further down the page.

E) Alternative option for fee waiver: The UW Graduate School waives fees based on financial need and for McNair Scholars and PPIA fellows; see this page for details. 

Option D - further details

Note: Please fill out the form to request payment before submitting your application. We cannot pay fees retroactively for applications that have already been paid for and submitted.

Our form will ask you to provide information about the program, then upload documentation that shows your participation, and write about how you engaged in the program. 

• The request will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
  • A. The program MUST support students or professionals working or studying in STEM, Engineering, or related fields in UX/UR/UI, and;
  • B. The program has an academic research component OR the program supports the involvement of students, professionals, or participants from under-resourced communities in STEM, Engineering, or UX/UR/UI fields.
  • C. In addition to meeting Criteria A and B, applicants must submit documentation describing the activities, mentorship, and experience based on their participation in the organization/program. If you are a new member of an organization listed below but have not participated in any activities, the fee waiver request will be denied.

Once you submit the form, the HCDE Admissions Committee will review your request and respond via email after a week or so (but will respond faster near the deadline).