For three days in mid-October, residents of Colorado can apply to any of the state's 32 public colleges and several private institutions without paying a fee. This event, known as Colorado Free Application Day, is happening for the seventh time. It's a part of Colorado Applies Month, a five-week campaign encouraging high school students to choose and apply for their desired education or training programs.

The goal is to make college more accessible, especially for those who might find the application fees a barrier. The Colorado Department of Education believes that improving access to education and training is crucial for the state's economy. Governor Jared Polis agreed, saying that a skilled workforce is vital for Colorado's future.

In its fourth year running for three days instead of one, last year's event saw over 64,000 applications submitted. A significant portion of these came from first-generation students and students of color. The campaign aims to increase the number of students filing for financial aid and staying in the state for their education.

Each participating college and university has information about the fee waiver and application process on their websites.

College Applications: No Fee Days Are Back

Actions