Submit SAT Scores To Colleges After Application

Submitting your college application is one step, and sending your SAT scores is another. And they don’t have to happen on the same day. Many students apply first, then send their scores separately through their College Board account. Some colleges accept self-reported scores. Others require official reports from the start. Either way, your scores still count—as long as they arrive before the final deadline.

We will break down how and when to send SAT scores after you’ve submitted your application. You’ll learn how deadlines work, what colleges expect, how to avoid late delivery issues, and how to save money or request a fee waiver if needed.

Can You Send SAT Scores After You Submit Your Application?

Yes, you can. It’s a normal part of the process, especially if you’re waiting on your latest test results or choosing which scores to send.​ What matters is that your scores arrive before the college’s review deadline, not necessarily the day you hit submit.​

Here’s how a few schools handle this:

• University of California sets July 15 as the deadline to receive test scores if you want to use them for credit or placement
• Boston University recommends sending scores at least three weeks before the application deadline so they arrive in time
• University of Michigan lets Early Action applicants self-report test scores and send official scores later, but everything must be received by November 15

There’s no penalty for sending scores later—as long as they arrive in time. That’s why it’s smart to check every college’s score deadline and not assume they all follow the same calendar.

When Is It Too Late To Send SAT Scores?

It’s too late to send your SAT scores when they miss the college’s final deadline for review. That deadline might not match the application deadline—but once the admissions committee starts evaluating files, your scores need to be there.

Colleges vary in how they handle timing:

• Early Action (EA) / Early Decision (ED): Scores usually must arrive by early to mid-November
• Regular Decision: Most schools expect scores by January or February
• Rolling Admissions: The sooner the better—some schools evaluate files as they come in

If your scores arrive even one day late, your application could be marked incomplete. That’s why some students use rush delivery through the College Board, which takes 1-4 business days. Check each school’s testing policy and build in buffer time—especially during peak application season.

How Do EA Or ED Deadlines Affect Score Submissions?

These deadlines are usually in early November. Colleges that offer these options often expect your SAT scores to arrive by that same deadline—or shortly after. But every school has its own policy about it. For example, University of Michigan allows EA applicants to send scores up until November 15, even though the application is due November 1.

If you’re applying EA or ED, register for the SAT early enough so your scores have time to arrive. Some schools are flexible, others aren’t. Missing the score deadline can disqualify you—so it’s better to send early than take the risk.

Steps to Send SAT Scores Through College Board

Here’s how to send your scores:

1. Go to https://www.collegeboard.org and sign in
2. Click Send Scores on your dashboard
3. Select the colleges you want to send scores to
4. Choose which scores you want to send
5. Review delivery options: standard (free with registration or $14 per school after) or rush ($31 per school)
6. Confirm and pay (unless using a fee waiver)

Scores are typically sent in:

• 1-2 weeks with standard delivery
• 1-4 business days with rush reporting

You can track score delivery in your account. Colleges do not send confirmation emails, but you can call their admissions office to verify receipt if needed.

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Can You Send Scores To Multiple Colleges At Once?

Yes, you can send your SAT scores to more than one college in a single session. In fact, the College Board lets you select multiple schools when you go to send scores through your account.

Here’s how it works:

• You choose all the colleges you want to send scores to from a searchable list
• You can select the same score report or different ones for each school if you’re using Score Choice
• After selecting your schools, you pay once at checkout (unless you’re using a fee waiver)

This is especially helpful if you’re applying to many schools on the same timeline. You don’t need to repeat the entire process for each one.

Important to know:

• If you’re still within your free score send window (up to 4 schools), you can send to multiple colleges for free
• After that, it’s $14 per school for standard delivery or $31 per school for rush delivery
• Schools don’t see that you sent the same scores to other institutions—there’s no “list” of where else you applied

Can I Send SAT Scores for Free?

Yes, you get up to four free score sends. Use them to send your scores to colleges before or up to nine days after your test date. If you use all four within that window, there’s no charge. But after the nine-day window closes, sending scores costs money—unless you qualify for a fee waiver.  Students with College Board fee waivers can send unlimited score reports at any time—no deadlines, no limits.

How To Request A Fee Waiver If You Can’t Afford Score Sends?

If you can’t afford to pay for SAT score reports, you may qualify for a fee waiver. This waiver doesn’t just cover the test—it also gives you unlimited free scores sends to colleges, even after the nine-day window closes.

Students eligible for this option:

• Enrolled in or eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
• From families that meet federal low-income guidelines
• Living in foster care or without stable housing
• Receiving government assistance
• Participating in federally funded programs like Upward Bound

To get it, you need to talk to your school counselor or college advisor first. They will request the fee waiver for you through the College Board’s K-12 portal. After the request is approved, the waiver will appear in your College Board account.

What the waiver includes:

• 2 free SAT test registrations
• Unlimited free score reports to any college
• Free CSS Profile submissions for financial aid at eligible schools
• No late registration fees

Even if you’re out of high school, contact your most recent school or testing center—many still provide support for recent graduates.

Can SAT Scores Be Sent Early by Scheduling?

Yes. When you register for the SAT, the College Board lets you choose up to four colleges to receive your scores automatically—before you even take the test.

These are known as pre-scheduled score sends, and they are included for free if selected before or up to nine days after your test date.

Here’s how it works:

• During registration, you’ll see the option to enter up to four colleges
• Your scores will be sent to those schools as soon as they’re ready—about 2-3 weeks after the test
• You can edit or change these schools until nine days after the test date

If you’re confident in your performance, this is a good way to save money. But if you’re unsure or want to wait for your results, it’s better to delay and use Score Choice later.

Important to know:

• You can’t “schedule” score reports beyond the free send window
• After that, all additional score sends must be ordered manually
• Score Choice does not apply to pre-scheduled score sends—schools receive all scores from that date

How Colleges Use SAT Scores After You Apply?

Once your application is submitted, colleges review your SAT scores as part of your full academic profile. How they use those scores depends on each school’s review process and testing policy.

Some colleges use scores for:

• Admissions decisions (especially if scores are required or strongly recommended)
• Academic placement in subjects like math or English
• Merit-based scholarships and honors program eligibility

For example, Indiana University Bloomington allows submitted SAT scores to influence course placement and direct admission to selective programs.

If your score arrives after your application, it’s added to your file and reviewed—as long as it’s on time. Some schools notify applicants when scores are received; others don’t, so tracking in your College Board account is key.

Once admitted, you may still need to submit official scores to confirm scholarships, enroll in advanced classes, or complete your academic record.

Maya Robinson, AP Program Advisor at Legacy Online School

Sources: College Board, University of California, Boston University, University of Michigan, Indiana University Bloomington