Educational Fee Waiver

 

NPS photo

 

What is an Educational Fee Waiver?

National Park Service policy permits entrance fees to be waived for national and international academic institutions visiting parks for non-commercial educational purposes. However, Educational Fee Waivers are not issued automatically. Educational groups must apply and meet the criteria to receive a fee waiver.

 

Qualifying for an Educational Fee Waiver

There are three criteria an academic institution must meet in order to qualify for an Educational Fee Waiver—eligibility, educational purpose, and relevance of park resources or facilities.

Criteria #1 - Eligibility

Applicants must prove they are an academic institution by submitting one of the following types of documentation.

• A statement confirming educational or scientific tax exemption from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the applicant's national, state, or local tax authority.
• A statement from an academic institution meeting one of these eligibility standards confirming that the group is visiting for the purpose of providing transferable academic credit based on a curriculum.
• A statement of accreditation or recognition as an academic institution from a legitimate international, national, regional, state, or local authority.

Criteria #2 - Educational Purpose

Applicants must provide a written statement verifying that the visit supports a specific curriculum for which academic credit is offered. This requirement can be met by submitting the course number and description and/or a copy of the catalog description for college courses or an outline of student work required for grades K-12.

Criteria #3 - Relevance of Park Resources or Facilities

Applicants must provide a written statement describing how specific park resources and facilities are relevant to the educational purpose of the visit. Course outlines, lesson plans, or a copy of the curriculum meet this requirement.

Download Fee Waiver Instructions and Important Information (657 kb PDF file - June 2024)

 

Submitting an Educational Fee Waiver Application

You may submit your completed application and required supporting documentation by email: [e-mail]

Download the Application for Fee Waiver for Educational Study (293 kb PDF file - June 2024)

Application packets must be received by Grand Canyon National Park at least 30 days prior to the start date of your anticipated trip. Educational Fee Waivers will not be issued at entrance stations.

Responses can be expected by email. Copies of approved Educational Fee Waiver applications must be present in all vehicles on park entry.

Feel free to call 928-638-7850 or email us here if you have further questions.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in an Educational Fee Waiver?

Only entrance fees are waived by an Educational Fee Waiver. Expanded amenity fees, such as lodging costs, are the responsibility of your group.

Learn about lodging and camping options both in Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding communities.

How many people can an Educational Fee Waiver cover?

An Educational Fee Waiver will always cover the entrance fees for all drivers and students, but the number of chaperones covered depends on the grade level.

• K-5th = 1 adult to 5 students
• 6th-12th = 1 adult to 10 students
• College/University = 1 adult to 20 students

Drivers do not count against chaperone numbers. Any additional chaperones will be charged $8 each on arrival at the entrance gate.

My group is coming to the park for a ranger-led field trip, do I need to apply for an education fee-waiver??

Groups scheduled for a ranger-led curriculum-based program will be issued a fee-waiver as part of the registration and program confirmation process. Groups do not need to apply through this process.

Does my scout group qualify for an Educational Fee Waiver?

Not-for-profit groups such as service, civic, fraternal organizations, scouts, 4-H, Road Scholar (formerly Elderhostel) etc. frequently do not qualify for an Educational Fee Waiver. However, many of these groups may be considered organized non-commercial groups and may qualify for the non-commercial group fee rate. Also, all current holders of America the Beautiful Interagency Passes, Golden Passports, and Grand Canyon passes, as well as anyone under 16 years of age will be exempt from payment of fees.

If your group qualifies for an Educational Fee Waiver but you were unable to apply within the appropriate time, the above option may also be available to you.

Will a Grand Canyon Educational Fee Waiver cover entrance fees for other parks?

Unfortunately, no. Groups will need to apply for an Educational Fee Waiver through each park separately. Although applications may include identical documentation, other information, such as the dates of the anticipated visit, will need to be adjusted for each park.