In a statewide effort to reduce barriers to higher education, all 32 public universities in Colorado鈥攊ncluding CU Boulder鈥攁nd several private colleges will once again waive admissions application fees for state residents from Oct. 18 to Oct. 20.听
Now in its fifth year, is an initiative to inspire more Coloradans to pursue postsecondary education opportunities. During last year鈥檚 campaign, Colorado colleges received 62,679 applications, which was a 10% increase in overall applications over the previous year鈥檚 campaign. Students of color submitted half of the applications, and first-generation students submitted a third. These numbers imply that a free college application day may encourage students to explore more colleges.
鈥淎ll Colorado residents are eligible. With college application fees no longer a barrier, you can apply to the dream Colorado college or university, so shoot for the stars,鈥� said Angie Paccione, executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, in a public service message.听
Paccione also pointed out most state institutions offer application fee waivers year-round for financial hardship.听
College officials encourage Colorado high school students to prepare in advance for the free application days, noting that colleges will waive those application fees in bulk only on the 鈥渇ree app days.鈥� This effort will cap off Colorado Applies Month, a five-week statewide campaign that guides 11th- and 12-grade students along the application process, as well as encourages students to file the or FAFSA.听
Students can begin preparing their application before Colorado Free Application Days starts and hit submit during the Oct. 18鈥�20 timeframe. Minimal steps are required for first-year and transfer students, and not all application materials are required when submitting an application during those three days. With affordability being an area of concern even before receiving an admission decision, getting some form of financial break is beneficial to all students and families when starting the college search.
Over the past several years, CU Boulder has introduced a series of affordability efforts, including the elimination of course and program fees,鈥痑 four-year tuition guarantee for incoming undergraduates,鈥�automatic scholarships for qualified Colorado resident students,鈥痵cholarships for academically qualified transfer students鈥痑nd grants for low-income students.听
Colorado has one of the most educated鈥痺orkforces in the country. However, according to the , only 56% of Colorado鈥檚 2018 high school graduates enrolled in a postsecondary institution in Colorado or another state during the fall semester following high school graduation.
To reverse that trend, the state鈥檚 higher education officials and campus leaders are calling on Coloradans to apply to a Colorado college during the Colorado Free Application Days to expand their opportunities when pursuing higher education.
