The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and Gov. Jared Polis this week launched the ninth annual Colorado Free Application Days, a three-day event in which all 31 public colleges and universities in Colorado, along with many private institutions, waive application fees.
This year’s event started on Oct. 20 and ends Thursday, Oct. 22.
The waiving of fees applies to all Colorado residents who are applying to undergraduate programs including associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, certificates, and other eligible credentials at participating public and private institutions.
While fee-waiver methods and application processes vary by institution, aspiring students must submit their applications within the three-day range to qualify. While many institutions allow applicants to pause and save their applications midway through the process, those documents will not qualify for waived fees if they’re submitted in full after Oct. 22.
The CDHE website has a full list of participating institutions as well as instructions to help applicants take advantage of Free Application Days.
The goal of this annual occasion is to remove a financial barrier to applying for college and make it easier for students to continue their education, according to a release from the governor’s office.
“Colorado Free Application Days encourages more students and learners to take the next step towards a successful education and career journey. Last year more than 70,000 Coloradans submitted an application, saving Coloradans $2.4 million in application fees,” Gov. Polis stated. “I encourage all Coloradans considering college or career training to take advantage of Free Application Days and explore options, submit applications for free, and move closer to achieving their goals.”
Though Colorado ranks among the nation’s leaders in educational attainment, according to the Lumina Foundation, with 64.3% of adults ages 25-64 holding a postsecondary credential, CDHE’s Pathways to Prosperity report found that only about half of Colorado high school graduates immediately enroll in postsecondary education.
FAFSA completion rates also remain below desired levels, limiting access to financial aid opportunities, according to CDHE.
“Pursuing education beyond high school can be a transformative step for learners at every stage of life,” said JB Holston, executive director of CDHE. “Whether students are graduating from high school, returning to college, or seeking new skills for today’s workforce, this initiative helps more Coloradans explore their options, take the next step, and build a strong foundation for long-term success.”
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