FRISCO, TEXAS – There is no doubt that high school is an expensive time. Students participate in a plethora of extracurricular activities that cost hundreds of dollars, take numerous classes with lab fees, and pay nearly $100 in Advanced Placement (AP) tests. Most people would assume senior year to be the same, but those first three years are nothing compared to it.
In the 2024-2025 cycle of college applications, over 1.5 million first year applicants applied through Common App. Applying to college is a long process that takes up the majority of their first semester. Every little step has a cost that people don’t inform anyone about.
The first cost seniors might experience before the school year even starts is standardized testing fees. The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)and the American College Test (ACT) are two common tests that many juniors take, with one SAT being given free in March, and any other attempts costing $68 if you sign up on time. The ACT is an exam where no free attempt is given, costing $68 to take Reading, English, and Math, with an additional $4 to take Science or $25 for Writing.
“So I took the SAT five times,” Senior Esha Chandra shared. “I made sure to sign up in time, so it cost me $68 per test. So around $340 for just my SATs alone. I studied for days, and planned basically my entire life around taking that exam.”
After obtaining their desired score, seniors then take all their experiences and build their Common App Profile, where they can apply to colleges and hopefully receive their first-choice undergraduate program. However, even submitting a score for the ACT and SAT costs money. College Board charges $15 per score sent, with the first four scores only being free if you order them nine days after taking the exam. There is even an option to fast ship your scores if you’re in a time crunch, leading to a price increase of $31. The ACT charges $20 dollars per exam.
Post-Secondary Institutions also require students to pay a range from zero to $100 to even apply, with the average student applying to around five to ten schools. However, Frisco Independent School District (FISD) is a district with very ambitious students, with most seniors now applying to around 10 to 20 schools, paying around 60 to 100 dollars per application.
After college applications, many would think that the costs stop there. Unfortunately, they don’t. Things like housing, orientation, and college visit can go up into the hundreds. For an example, a student planning to attend the University of Texas at Austin must spend $300 on orientation, and hundreds over hotels and food for the days they must be in the city.
And still, high school isn’t over. Extracurriculars, prom, graduation, senior trips with friends, and other events all require payments so that they can function. With college and high school, this all adds more stress to a senior’s plate.
Yet, there are still ways to enjoy this final year, without the stress of the cost.
Fee waivers can be used for applications, and paying by earlier deadlines can grant students reduced amounts. Even purchasing senior event tickets when they’re discounted or being sold in a bundle are an option, and making it worth it by attending every single event.
Some seniors even choose not to go to prom, and instead take pictures with their friends and go to dinner, cutting back on the cost.
Even with all these worries, seniors can look forward to graduating on May 22nd, at the Comerica Center. With friends and family, this time is meant to be a transitional period, where students look forward to different paths of life.
