Colorado Free Application Days
2026-10-20 - 2026-10-22 | CO
The ninth annual Colorado Free Application Days will be held on Tuesday, October 20th – Thursday, October 22nd, 2026.
The Colorado Free Application Days campaign is an initiative designed to inspire more Coloradans to continue their education. From Tuesday, Oct. 20 through Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, many public colleges and universities in Colorado and several private institutions will waive their application fees, making it free for Colorado residents to submit an application. By waiving application fees—a common barrier to higher education—Colorado Free Application Days aims to improve access to further education and training, which is becoming increasingly critical in the state’s rapidly changing economy.

2025 Free Application Days Results:

71,504 applications (9% increase from 2024) were submitted during October 7 – October 9, 2025
More than $2.4 million saved by applicants in waived application fees
36% of applications were submitted by students who are the first generation in their family attending college
49% of applications were submitted by students of color

The days cap off Colorado Applies Month, a five-week, statewide campaign that encourages high school juniors and seniors – and adults – to select an education or training option that’s best for them and apply to that program when eligible to do so. The statewide push is designed to increase Colorado’s college-going and FAFSA and CASFA completion rates. The campaign aims to support low-income and first-generation students and to help keep Colorado students in state.
Review the Communications Toolkit
Last year’s Colorado Institutions Participating in Free College Application Days. The 2026 list will be released in early to mid 2026:
Public Institutions

Adams State University
Colorado Mesa University
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University Fort Collins
Colorado State University Global
Colorado State University Pueblo
Fort Lewis College
Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Denver
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
University of Northern Colorado
Western Colorado University
All two-year and community colleges
All area technical colleges

Private Colleges and Universities

Colorado Christian University
Colorado College
Regis University
University of Denver
Naropa University

Review Colorado Free Application Days Instructions

Financial Aid Info Night
2026-10-20 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Denver) | Future Ready Event Center, 215 E Foothills Pkwy #510, Fort Collins, CO 80525, Fort Collins, CO, 80525, United States
PSD seniors and families — join us to learn more about Financial Aid! The FAFSA and CASFA applications will officially open on October 1st. The evening will begin with a brief presentation followed by hands-on support to help students and families complete their FAFSA/CASFA applications.
If possible, please bring a laptop along with important income and asset information to help complete the application process.
