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October is College Application Month!

CollegiateParent


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This month and next, high schools across the U.S. are sponsoring free College Application Week (or Month) events where students and families can get help with the application process.

The goal is to increase the number of students applying to college. With the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) now available on Oct. 1, many states are holding free financial aid workshops simultaneously.

As part of these events, many states offer an opportunity to apply for free to colleges and universities in the state. This can mean big savings to your family in application fees.

Find an Event in Your State!

Click on the state name for details:

Alabama's Free College Application Week is Oct. 17–21.

Colorado will host Free College Application Days from Oct. 17–19.

Delaware hosts a variety of College Application Month events.

In Idaho, contact your student's high school to see if they have a "Next Steps" Month event planned.

In Illinois, contact your student's high school to see if they have a College Changes Everything Month event planned.

Indiana's College Application Week took place Sept. 26–30, but some Indiana schools offer free applications to in-state students year-round, and free FAFSA virtual workshops will be held throughout the fall. Visit Learn More Indiana.

Maryland's virtual College Application Campaign runs from Oct. 1–Nov. 12.

The Minnesota State system of colleges and universities is hosting special visits (including virtual) in October, and students can apply for free at any time during October.

The University of Mississippi Free Application Day Weekend is Oct. 16–18.

Montana's College Application Weeks run from Oct. 2–13.

New York's College Application Month is October.

North Carolina's NC Countdown to College week is Oct. 16–20.

Ohio College Application Month runs Oct. 1–Nov. 15.

Oklahoma College App Week took place in late September, but you can find resources here.

South Carolina high schools hold college application events from August through December.

South Dakota's College Application Week/College Access Campaign runs Oct. 1–Nov. 30.

October is Utah's College Application and Financial Aid Awareness Month; contact your student's high school to locate events near you.

Virginia's College Application Week is Oct. 24–28.

Washington, DC College Application and Exploration events will be held Nov 1–30.

West Virginia College Application & Exploration Week is Oct. 30–Nov. 3.

Don’t See Your State?

Call your student's high school to ask if they are hosting an event or to find out if there is one at another high school in your area.

You can also visit the website for the American College Application Campaign or Google your state’s Department of education to see if there will be free events in your area.

Other Ways to Apply to College for Free:

Click here to learn more about application fee waivers >

Click here for a list of the "Best Colleges in America With No Application Fee" >

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