Free Application Days Drives 16,849 Applications to Northern Colorado Universities
Colorado's three-day Free Application Days campaign generated 16,849 applications to Colorado State University in Fort Collins and the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
The surge at CSU and UNC underscores how a brief fee-waiver window is expanding college access in Northern Colorado, especially for first-generation students and students of color, while nudging some campuses to drop fees permanently.
Colorado students submitted 71,504 applications during the state's eighth annual Free Application Days, Oct. 7–9, 2025, a 9% participation increase from the prior year and more than $2.4 million in waived fees, according to the Colorado Governor's Office.
The University of Colorado Boulder led with 12,693 applications, followed by CSU Fort Collins with 11,284 and UNC with 5,565, according to the Governor's Office. The combined 16,849 applications to CSU and UNC during the three-day window underscore Northern Colorado's significant participation, as both universities serve as primary four-year options for local students.
Statewide, 36% of applications came from first-generation college students and 49% from students of color—populations with historically lower enrollment rates in Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Higher Education. Given those demographics, many CSU and UNC applications likely came from students facing financial barriers to college access.
"For the eighth consecutive year, more Colorado students took advantage of Colorado's money-saving Free Application Days, collectively saving students $2.4 million in fees. This initiative continues to break down financial barriers, open doors to higher education, and strengthen access to Colorado's world-class colleges and universities," said Governor Polis in a statement released by the Governor's Office.
"Colorado Free Application Days prove that removing financial barriers works," said Dr. Angie Paccione, executive director of CDHE. "Every application submitted represents a student taking a bold step toward their future. We're proud to see more Coloradans pursuing higher education and strengthening the talent pipeline that drives our state's economy."
The campaign's success is forcing systemwide change. Several campuses now eliminate application fees year-round, according to the Governor's Office. CSU Fort Collins already markets "Free App Every Day" options for eligible students, signaling that the three-day experiment is reshaping fee policies statewide.
Most Colorado colleges continue offering year-round fee waivers for families experiencing financial strain, according to the Governor's Office and CDHE.