What Happens to Your Common App Account When You Die
Quick Facts
Applications
Withdraw pending submissions
Fees
Request refund of application fees
Contact
Common App support + individual colleges
Step-by-Step Guide
Identify pending applications
Log in and review the status of all college applications. Note which have been submitted and which are still in progress.
Estimated time: 10 min
Withdraw applications
Contact each college's admissions office directly to withdraw pending applications. Common App itself cannot withdraw submissions on your behalf.
Estimated time: 30 min
Request fee refunds
Contact colleges that received application fees to request refunds. Many schools will accommodate this in cases of death.
Estimated time: 20 min
Notify school counselor
Inform the high school counselor so they can update records and stop sending transcripts or recommendations.
Estimated time: 10 min
Document Now Checklist
- Common App login
- List of colleges applied to
- Application fees paid
- School counselor contact
Last verified: June 2026. Platform policies may change. Verify current procedures directly with Common App. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Related Guides
Domain Names (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare)
Domains expire on a specific date. If not renewed, they become publicly available and can be registered by anyone.
Shopify
If you have an active Shopify store, orders may continue coming in. Your executor needs access immediately to fulfill or refund.
GitHub
Transfer important private repositories to a trusted collaborator or organisation. Go to Repo Settings → Transfer.
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