Academic Fee Waivers

Academic fee waivers are granted to educational institutions whose curriculum relates specifically to the resources at these parks.

Applying for an Academic Fee Waiver

To apply for a waiver, please send us the following information on school letterhead at least two weeks before your visit:

• Institution/school name
• Contact information (mailing address, lead teacher or instructor, phone and fax numbers, and email address)
• Arrival and departure dates
• Number of students
• Grade level
• Number of chaperones or faculty
• Total number of vehicles
• Class title
• Specific park area(s) to be visited
• Other relevant documents, including curriculum and proof of tax-exempt status.

Requirement #1 - Educational Purpose
Provide a written statement confirming that the visit supports a specific curriculum for which academic credit is offered. If you are on a commercial tour, you must state how the tour supports the curriculum.

Requirement #2 - Relevance of Park Resources
Identify park resources and/or facilities that support the educational purpose of the visit, and how they are relevant to that purpose.

Requirement #3 - Eligibility
Show that you are associated with an academic or scientific institution by including one of the following:

• Official school letterhead (accredited K-12 schools and colleges in the US).
• A statement confirming educational or scientific tax exemption from the IRS or the applicant's national, state, or local tax authority; or
• A statement from an academic institution that meets one of these eligibility standards confirming that the group is visiting for the purpose of providing transferable academic credit based on a curriculum; or, A statement confirming accreditation or recognition as an educational institution from a qualified national, regional, state, or local authority.
  

Email your completed fee waiver request at least two weeks before your visit to e-mail us at [e-mail], or mail your request to:

Education Fee Waiver
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
47050 Generals Highway, Three Rivers, CA 93271

If you have questions, please call [phone].

Home Schools

Home schools may be granted fee waivers based on the course of study following the procedures above, as long as they meet your state requirements for home schools. A copy of your state's department of education requirements may be requested if you are out-of-state.

Other Groups

If your group does not meet the three requirements listed above, it may be considered a Non-Commercial Organized Group.

Groups that do not qualify for an academic fee waiver will be charged the entrance fee for non-commercial organized groups, which is $20 per person for each person 16 years of age and older. Youth 15 years of age and younger are exempt from entrance fees. Sequoia and Kings Canyon Annual Pass, Interagency Annual, Interagency Senior, Interagency Access, Golden Age, and Golden Access Passport holders and their immediate family members (parents, spouse, and children) will not need to pay the entrance fee.