Request for Big Ten Academic Alliance Graduate Applications and Application Fee Waivers
FreeApp is designed to increase access to graduate education for students who possess qualities and experiences that enhance the diversity of the intellectual, cultural, and social environments at Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) universities. Through this program, prospective students can request a graduate application fee waiver for Ph.D. or Master of Fine Arts programs at any of the participating universities.
Students Eligible to Participate
Applicants participating in the BTAA FreeApp must meet the following criteria:
- Be awarded a bachelor's degree by the August preceding enrollment in the graduate program
- Apply for admission to a Ph.D. program or Master of Fine Arts program
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale)
- Have a serious intent to pursue an academic and/or research career
Interested students may register on-line at www.btaa.org/students/freeapp/introduction.
When submitting your BTAA Free Application, please indicate that you plan to apply to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After completing the online BTAA Free Application, you must also visit our site to apply online to your proposed program of study. In this online application, there is a section regarding Application Fee Waivers where you can indicate you have submitted a BTAA Free Application. We will then approve your application fee waiver once we receive your name from the BTAA.
Note: The BTAA is ending the FreeApp program at the end of the 2026-2027 application cycle. We will continue to accept FreeApp waiver requests for Spring, Summer, and Fall 2027 applications, but requests must be submitted prior to June 30, 2027. This program will no longer be accepted effective with Spring 2028 applications.