Educational Fee Waivers

 

What is an Educational Fee Waiver?

National Park Service regulations allow academic institutions to obtain a waiver of park entrance fees, provided the visit is for academic or scientific purposes, and the resources or facilities that the group intends to use support those purposes.

Qualifying for an Educational Fee Waiver

A school group does not automatically qualify for a fee-waiver just because the visit is educational. Academic groups must demonstrate that they qualify for the waiver by meeting each of the three requirements listed below:

Criteria #1 - Eligibility:

Applicants must describe and/or attach current official recognition or accreditation as an educational institution by a federal, state, or local government or other documentation attesting to educational status. Examples include:

• A statement confirming educational or scientific tax exemption from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the applicant’s national, state, or local tax authority; or
• A statement of accreditation or recognition as an educational institution from a legitimate international, national, regional, state, or local authority for the applicant’s location.

Criteria #2 - Educational Purpose of the Visit:

Applicants must verify that the visit supports a specific curriculum for which academic credit is offered. Supporting documentation may include a course syllabus/description, course catalog, lesson plan, letter detailing the educational purpose, etc.

Criteria #3 - Relevance of Park Resources or Facilities:
Applicants must provide a written explanation identifying the park resources and/or facilities that will be used to support the educational purpose of the visit, and how they are relevant to that purpose.

 

Submitting an Educational Fee Waiver

Please send completed applications (Sections 1, 2, and 5) along with the required documentation to the Fee Managment Office at Acadia National Park at [e-mail]

Click here for a copy of the Fee Waiver Application

All applications must be received at least two weeks prior to date of visit. Responses can be expected by email. Copies of approved Educational Fee Waiver applications must be present in all vehicles at anytime during the visit.

Questions? Contact [e-mail].