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If you are planning to take the Dental Admission Test (DAT) in 2027 and are experiencing financial hardship, now is a good time to learn about the American Dental Association’s partial DAT fee waiver program.
The ADA currently provides a limited number of partial fee waivers to qualified candidates experiencing financial hardship. Fee waivers are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible candidates who submit the required documentation.
According to the ADA’s current information, the partial fee waiver covers 50% of the DAT fee.
The waiver does not cover rescheduling or cancellation charges, or score reporting requested after the initial DAT application.
The ADA currently states that applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
The DAT Program reviews requests and makes the final approval or denial decision.
Students who believe they may qualify should become familiar with the process ahead of time rather than waiting until they are ready to submit their DAT application.
You can prepare by:
The ADA currently instructs candidates to:
After reviewing the request, the DAT Program will notify the candidate by email of its decision and provide application instructions to approved candidates.
The ADA advises candidates to allow up to 10 business days for review.
Important: The ADA states that its currently published 2027 information is for informational purposes only. Students should check the official ADA instructions on January 1, 2027 for the requirements and procedures in effect when requests open.
ADA Dental Admission Test Information
Register for or Manage Your DENTPIN
The ADA currently provides a limited number of partial fee waivers to qualified candidates experiencing financial hardship. Fee waivers are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible candidates who submit the required documentation.
How Much Does the DAT Fee Waiver Cover?
According to the ADA’s current information, the partial fee waiver covers 50% of the DAT fee.
The waiver does not cover rescheduling or cancellation charges, or score reporting requested after the initial DAT application.
Who Is Eligible?
The ADA currently states that applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Demonstrate financial hardship
- Be taking the DAT for the first time
- Have not previously received a partial fee waiver
- Meet the ADA’s citizenship/residency requirements
- Have received financial aid from their educational institution
The DAT Program reviews requests and makes the final approval or denial decision.
Why Prepare Before January?
Students who believe they may qualify should become familiar with the process ahead of time rather than waiting until they are ready to submit their DAT application.
You can prepare by:
- Making sure you have a DENTPIN
- Retrieving your existing DENTPIN if you have forgotten it rather than creating another one
- Reviewing the current eligibility requirements
- Checking the ADA’s instructions when the 2027 fee-waiver period begins
- Reviewing the required documentation once the ADA publishes the applicable 2027 requirements
How to Request a DAT Fee Waiver
The ADA currently instructs candidates to:
- Sign in using their DENTPIN
- Select Submit Request
- Select Waiver Request
- Select DAT as the examination for which the waiver is being requested
After reviewing the request, the DAT Program will notify the candidate by email of its decision and provide application instructions to approved candidates.
The ADA advises candidates to allow up to 10 business days for review.
Important: The ADA states that its currently published 2027 information is for informational purposes only. Students should check the official ADA instructions on January 1, 2027 for the requirements and procedures in effect when requests open.
Official ADA Resources
ADA Dental Admission Test Information
Register for or Manage Your DENTPIN
