OTCAS Application Fees: Budget for Your School List

Your OT application budget should reflect the schools you actually plan to apply to and the costs attached to each one. Start with the application-service fee, then add supplemental charges and other expenses. Keep this short-term budget separate from the much larger cost of attending a program.

As checked November 2, 2026, the official OTCAS fee page lists $172 for the first program and $71 for each additional program. Confirm the current amount before paying, especially if you are using this guide in a later cycle. Liaison fee schedule

Calculate the base fee for your list

Using those published rates, the base calculation for one or more programs is $172 + $71 × the number of additional programs.

These totals exclude supplemental fees, transcripts, travel and other expenses. They also do not account for any applicable waiver or coupon.

Add the costs outside the main application

Create a line for each school's additional fee, if any, and note where and when it is paid. Add transcript charges, required test costs, prerequisite expenses and interview travel when relevant to your situation.

Keep paid and expected costs separate. A budget should show what you still need to fund, not merely what the entire process might cost. Save receipts beside the corresponding line item.

Investigate assistance before paying

Liaison describes limited fee assistance for qualified applicants and notes that a waiver covers the initial application fee rather than every additional program. Availability and instructions matter, so review the current process before assuming assistance will apply. Fee-assistance instructions

Some programs may offer their own application assistance. Track a request, approval and actual payment reduction as different statuses. Until an award or code is confirmed and applicable, keep the ordinary charge in your budget.

Connect spending to your school decisions

Before adding a program, ask whether you would seriously consider attending and whether you can meet its requirements. An extra application also adds document work, recommendations or interviews. Cost is one part of that commitment.

For a fictional example, a fifth OTCAS program adds $71 at the rates above. If it also requires a $60 supplemental fee and $25 in another documented charge, the added cash expense is $156. Your actual extra costs may differ; the point is to calculate the full addition rather than looking only at the service fee.

Track timing and payment evidence

Use fields for payee, amount, due date, payment status, receipt and refund policy source. Do not mark a fee paid because you reached the checkout screen. Confirm the transaction and application status.

Review the budget whenever your school list changes. Removing a school from consideration may prevent future expenses, but do not assume an already paid fee will be refunded.

Start by entering your active programs and their known fees. Use the school-shortlist guide to review the list and the total attendance worksheet for the next stage of financial comparison.