DENVER ~ In a recent statewide initiative, Colorado students have once again taken advantage of the opportunity to save money on college application fees. The seventh annual Colorado Free Application Days, which ran from October 15th to 17th in 2024, saw a record-breaking number of applications submitted.

According to Governor Jared Polis, who announced the initiative in a video message, this year's campaign has saved students over $2.8 million in waived fees. This popular effort not only helps students save money but also aims to break down barriers to higher education and strengthen Colorado's leading institutions.

Participating colleges and universities received a total of 65,476 applications during the three-day event. The University of Colorado Boulder (CU) led the pack with 11,814 applications, followed by Colorado State University Fort Collins with 11,045 applications. The University of Colorado Colorado Springs and Colorado Mesa University also saw significant numbers with 5,230 and 5,146 applications respectively.

While the Free Application Days are an annual event, several institutions have taken steps to eliminate application fees year-round. Western Colorado University has eliminated their application fee for the upcoming academic year while the University of Northern Colorado hosts Free Application Days four times a year for undergraduate students. Other institutions such as Adams State University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Western Colorado University, Colorado College, and Regis University are free for undergraduate residents to apply at any time. Additionally, both Colorado State University Fort Collins and CSU Pueblo offer free applications for undergraduate residents.

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The goal of these initiatives is not only to save students money but also to increase the state's college-going rate and address equity gaps in higher education enrollment and graduation rates. This year's Free Application Days saw over a quarter of applications (21,574) submitted by students of color and over a third (21,340) submitted by first-generation students - two groups that historically have lower college enrollment rates in Colorado.

Dr. Angie Paccione, executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), praised the efforts of the state's institutions in prioritizing students through the Free Application Days campaign. She believes that the increase in participation demonstrates how invested Coloradans are in higher education.

The initiative also received support from Comcast and Telemundo, who donated airtime and video production services to create a 30-second public service announcement featuring Governor Polis in both English and Spanish. The spot aired on various cable channels throughout October, reaching viewers in mountain communities, the Denver metropolitan area, and Northern and Southern Colorado.

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While Free Application Days are a great opportunity for students to save money, it's important to note that most colleges offer application fee waivers year-round for families facing financial strain. More information on how to request fee waivers can be found on the CDHE website.

The Colorado Department of Higher Education works closely with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to support students and develop policies that maximize higher education opportunities for all. Their strategic plan, "Building Skills in an Evolving Economy," reflects their belief that every Coloradan should have access to education beyond high school to pursue their dreams and improve their communities.

For more information on Colorado Free Application Days, visit https://cdhe.colorado.gov/cofreeappdays.

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