Colorado Free Application Day: How you can apply to in-state schools for free

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- On October 13th only, incoming freshmen living in Colorado can apply to in-state schools free of charge.

This is the third year the Colorado Department of Higher Education is teaming up with state colleges for the program to waive application fees.

For students thinking about staying local for college, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is participating in the Free App Day.

Transfer students can also apply to UCCS for free on Free Application Day.

Officials at UCCS say they're hoping the program will increase in-state admissions.

“We were hoping to get more freshman enrollment. We saw a hit in our out-of-state enrollment, especially," says Chris Beiswanger, Director at the Office of Admissions for UCCS. "People just didn't know what was happening. They were concerned about sending their son out of state, their daughter out of state."

Beiswanger says their freshman enrollment for the 2020-2021 school year is down 11% to the year prior, with about 200 fewer students in attendance. Officials at the university say the financial impacts of covid-19 played a part in the drop.

Beiswanger says on average, students apply to three to four colleges. With most applications costing $50 or more, Free Application Day can save students hundreds.

As a part of another statewide push to make college more accessible, standardized testing is now optional for admissions to most Colorado colleges.

Standardized testing typically costs $50 and up.

To see how to have your application fee waived for Colorado universities and colleges, click here.