TOEFL Fee Reduction Vouchers

Students that do not speak English as a first language will most likely need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).  It has been my experience in Massachusetts that any student with ESL on their transcript or any student that indicates they do not speak English at home needs to submit TOEFL scores.  Some schools may waive this test if students have high SAT/ ACT scores, but not always.  Students need to check with each institution.  Seniors tend to be overwhelmed at the application process and skip over terms they are not familiar with.  This can lead to applications not being reviewed by colleges because until applications are complete (test scores received) they are not read. 

This is an expensive test, $170 in the US.  Unfortunately ETS only uses a fee reduction voucher as opposed to a fee waiver.  This means that ETS will reduce the cost of the test to $85 (which in my opinion is still a hardship for families that qualify for free and reduced lunch).  This is not a simple process and it takes quite a long time for students to receive their vouchers, another barrier to kids in a rush to get completed applications to colleges before the holidays.  This process should be done during the first week of school.  Vouchers are only available to students during their senior year.  In order to get the voucher students and counselors must work together and follow the steps listed below. 

• Counselor must print and fill out the TOEFL Fee Reduction Service Voucher: http://www.ets.org/s/toefl/pdf/toefl_fee_reduction_voucher_request_form.pdf 
• Student must fill out the TOEFL iBT Voucher Request form and return it to the counselor (or mail it directly to ETS) along with the $85 check or money order.
• The link for the country and region codes need for registration can be found at: http://www.nocheating.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/07_08_toefl_ibt_country_region_codes.pdf
• The link for the native language codes needed for registration can be found at: http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/pdf/2009-10/iBT_NativeLanguageCodeList.pdf
• Once the student submits their form and payment it may take up to three weeks for students to receive an email containing their ETS identification and voucher numbers. 
• Once they have their ID and Voucher numbers they (or counselor) must call ETS at 1-800-468-6335 and tell the operator that you need to register for the TOEFL with a voucher.  Request the first available testing date.  Student should have a list of their top four schools they would like to send the results to at this time as well.
• If students are applying to more than four schools have them find out which schools require the TOEFL, some institutions may not.
• Finally, if you need some support I was fortunate enough to find an email address last year that was incredibly helpful: TOEFLFeeReduction@ets.org