DENVER ~ Denver, CO - In an effort to promote higher education and make it more accessible for Coloradans, Governor Jared Polis and the Department of Higher Education have announced the seventh annual Colorado Free Application Days. This initiative will allow students to apply for free at all 32 public colleges and universities in Colorado, as well as several private institutions, from Tuesday, Oct. 15 through Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024.

Governor Polis emphasized the importance of this opportunity for students to save money on college application fees. "In Colorado, we are committed to breaking down barriers to affordable education and providing our residents with the skills they need for successful careers in our thriving economy," he stated.

The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) has provided information on admissions applications and fee waivers for each participating institution on their website. During the three-day period, students can apply to as many schools as they are interested in without having to pay any application fees.

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This program has been extended from one day to three days for the fourth consecutive year. The goal of Free Application Days is to increase college enrollment rates and completion of financial aid applications like FAFSA and CASFA. It specifically aims to support low-income and first-generation students while encouraging them to stay in-state for their education.

Dr. Angie Paccione, executive director of CDHE, expressed her hopes that this initiative will help students achieve their postsecondary goals. "By increasing completion rates for FAFSA and CASFA through these campaigns, not only do our students benefit but Colorado as a whole," she said.

Last year's campaign saw nearly 65,000 applications submitted during the three-day period. Of those applications, 44% came from students of color and over a third were from first-generation students. While statewide applications were up by 1% compared to the previous year, there are still significant enrollment gaps based on race and ethnicity.

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The Colorado Talent Pipeline Report has identified the increasing need for postsecondary education and training in the state's rapidly changing economy. According to the report, 94.7% of Tier 1 Top Jobs and 64.7% of Tier 2 Top Jobs require some form of postsecondary education beyond a high school diploma. Additionally, 70.4% of Tier 2 top jobs require a credential beyond high school.

To address these workforce demands, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education has set a strategic goal to increase the number of Coloradans with valuable career skills obtained through postsecondary education or while in high school. This goal is outlined in their statewide plan for higher education, Building Skills for an Evolving Economy.

Increasing postsecondary enrollment and reducing equity gaps are key strategies to improve access and reduce costs for Coloradans. The Free Application Days campaign is just one step towards achieving this goal.

For more information on Colorado Free Application Days, visit the CDHE website. Students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to further their education without having to worry about application fees.

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