2024 Free Application Days Saved Colorado Students $2.8 Million

DENVER - Colorado students submitted nearly 66,000 college and university admissions applications during Colorado Free Application Days. The seventh annual statewide initiative took place from Tuesday, Oct. 15 through Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. The campaign increased participation from last year's effort and saved students more than $2.8 million in waived fees.

"For the seventh year in a row, more students than ever before saved millions in application fees by taking advantage of Colorado's free application days. This popular effort continues to save students money, break down barriers to higher education, and strengthen Colorado's nation-leading higher education institutions," said Governor Polis who announced Colorado Free Application Days in this video message.

Participating institutions received 65,476 applications. The University of Colorado Boulder (CU) led with 11,814 applications, followed by Colorado State University Fort Collins (11,045), University of Colorado Colorado Springs (5,230) and Colorado Mesa University (5,146).

Several colleges and universities are eliminating application fees year-round. Western Colorado University eliminated the application fee for the 2024-2025 academic year. The University of Northern Colorado hosts Free Application Days on October 1, December 1, February 1, and April 1 each year for undergraduate students. Adams State University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Western Colorado University, Colorado College, and Regis University are free to apply as undergraduate residents year-round. Colorado State University Fort Collins and CSU Pueblo are free to apply for Colorado undergraduate residents.

By eliminating application fees, Colorado Free Application Days are designed to boost the state's college-going rate and make progress toward one of the Colorado Department of Higher Education's (CDHE) strategic goals to erase equity gaps-the racial disparities in higher educational enrollment and graduation.

More than a quarter of applications (21,574) were submitted by students of color, and more than a third were submitted by first-generation students (21,340)-two target groups that have historically lower college enrollment rates in Colorado.

"Our institutions of higher education have done a remarkable job of prioritizing students through the Free Application Days campaign, by ensuring students have access to our colleges and universities," said Dr. Angie Paccione, executive director of CDHE. "We continue to see an increase in participation, and that in itself, demonstrates how invested Coloradans are in higher education."

Among transfer students, the University of Colorado Boulder was the most popular destination with 230 applications, and the University of Colorado Denver (227) and Metropolitan State University of Denver (223) came in second and third respectively.

Comcast and Telemundo donated airtime and video production services to create a 30-second public service announcement in English and Spanish, featuring Gov. Jared Polis, valued at $64,000. The spot aired in October on various cable channels for viewers in mountain communities, the Denver metropolitan area, and Northern and Southern Colorado.

Most colleges offer application fee waivers year-round for families who are stretched financially. You can learn more about how to request fee waivers by visiting the CDHE website.

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

About the Colorado Department of Higher Education

Working with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, we support students, advocate, and develop policies to maximize higher education opportunities for all. The Department believes every Coloradan should have an education beyond high school to pursue their dreams and improve our communities. Read the strategic plan, Building Skills in an Evolving Economy.

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