ACT Late Registration: Fees and Dates 2021

What’s Covered:

• ACT Late Registration Dates
• ACT Late Registration Fees
• How Does the ACT Impact Your College Chances?

A lot goes into preparing for standardized tests like the ACT and it’s easy to overlook little-but-significant tasks, like registering for the exam. If you missed the ACT registration deadline, no worries—the ACT has a late registration period. Registering for the ACT late does come at a cost, however; late registrants must pay an additional ACT late registration fee. 

ACT Late Registration Dates

Late registration for the ACT typically extends for two weeks after the close of the regular registration period. Below is a list of the available 2021 ACT test dates, along with their registration and late registration deadlines. 

 *No test centers are scheduled in New York for the July test date. 

ACT Late Registration Fees

As mentioned earlier, the ACT late registration deadline is normally two weeks after the regular registration deadline, and the cost for late registration is $35. The ACT late registration cost is in addition to the normal ACT fees. The registration process is the same as it is for regular registration. Below is a closer look at the cost of the ACT. 

Are There Late Fee Waivers?

Some students may qualify for a fee waiver from the ACT to cover the cost of both registration and late fees. Eligible students may use a maximum of four separate fee waivers, which include an unlimited number of score reports and free access to The Official ACT Self-Paced Course, provided by Kaplan. Test waivers do not cover the expense of test date changes, test center changes, standby fees, or other services. 

A fee waiver must be requested by a student’s high school guidance counselor—students cannot request a fee waiver on their own. Students must meet three criteria to qualify for a fee waiver:

1. Enrolled in 11th or 12th grade
2. Testing in the U.S., U.S. territories, or Puerto Rico 
3. Meet at least one indicator of economic need listed on the ACT Fee Waiver form

Qualifying indicators of economic need are:

• Enrolled in a federal free or reduced-price lunch program at school 
• Enrolled in a program for the economically disadvantaged
• Reside in a foster home, a ward of the state, or homeless
• The student’s family receives low-income public assistance or lives in federally subsidized public housing. 
• Student’s family’s total annual income is at or below USDA levels for free or reduced-price lunches

The USDA household size and family income level required to qualify for the reduced-price lunches in the continental U.S., U.S. territories, and Washington, D.C., in 2020-2021 are listed below. Note, the income thresholds are slightly higher in Alaska and Hawaii which are found here. 

*Household size includes the person filing for a fee waiver

ACT State Vouchers

Some states offer vouchers that cover the registration fee to select student populations. State vouchers are good for one test date, only cover the cost of the ACT, and include a score report for the student, their high school, and up to four colleges. Students cannot apply state vouchers to late fees, to send score reports to additional colleges (outside of the included four), or for other services. Students should consult with their guidance counselor to see if a state voucher is an option for them. 

How Does the ACT Impact Your College Chances?

Selective colleges use a student’s grades and test scores to filter out academically-unqualified applicants. That’s why it’s important to have an ACT score that meets or exceeds the average of accepted students. 

To understand how your score impacts your chances, you can use our free chancing calculator. This calculator evaluates your profile holistically, using metrics like GPA and standardized test scores, as well as other components like extracurricular activities. We’ll also give you tips on how improve your profile!