#FreeAppDayCO
On 13 October, 2020, students will be allowed to apply to any of Colorado’s 32 public colleges and universities for free. Yes, free.
This is the third year Colorado has participated in Free Application Day. In 2019, all 32 public colleges and universities in Colorado, along with several private ones, received 44,488 applications. That was a 100% increase over the 22,294 applications submitted in 2018. Colorado is one of the most educated states in the country and yet we only send 56% of our high school graduates to college. Close to 75 percent of Colorado jobs require some sort of postsecondary credential. By having a free application day, we are removing some of the financial boundaries hindering students from achieving this goal.
To find specific information on how each institution will be implementing their unique process to waive the admissions application submission fee, visit the Colorado Free Application Day webpage and read Colorado Free Application Day instructions .
In order to participate in Free Application Day, completed admissions applications must be submitted on Oct. 13, 2020, between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. Any applications that have been started but not submitted may not qualify for a fee waiver. If an institution requires any other documents, that are not part of the actual admission application, such as a high school transcript or letters of recommendation, they can be submitted before or after Oct. 13.
Along with no application fees, this year, seven Colorado community colleges will also be waiving transcript fees for any student wishing to apply to transfer into a four-year Colorado college or university.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SAT and ACT exams were cancelled across the country. For the high school graduating class of 2021, Colorado state four-year colleges and universities are “test-optional”; SAT and/or ACT scores will not be required. Students will have the option to submit scores with their college applications.
Colorado is also encouraging students to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). just 50 percent of students submit a FAFSA application.
