The University of Northern Colorado received 5,908 applications on the second annual Colorado Free Application Day on Oct. 15, a 71% increase compared to last year’s free app day.

Colorado Free Application Day encourages high school seniors to apply to a college or university and file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). UNC joined all 32 public universities and several private colleges in Colorado in waiving application fees as part of the Oct. 15 event.

Of those who applied to UNC this year:

• 47% identified as a student of color, a 4% increase from last year
• 45% identified as first-generation, a 2% increase from last year
• 65% identified as female and 35% identified as male, the same as last year

This year, the top 10 Colorado counties that applicants applied from were (in order from most to least): Adams, Weld, El Paso, Arapahoe, Jefferson, Douglas, Denver, Larimer, Boulder and Broomfield. Greeley Central High School had the most students apply to UNC at 110 followed by Legacy High School in Broomfield with 94 student applications and Greeley West High school with 88.

Last year on free app day, UNC received 3,478 applications. Of the 2,649 students admitted, 525 enrolled this fall.

According to the State of Colorado’s Department of Higher Education, Colorado’s changing economy demands more education and training. Studies show that by next year, nearly three in four jobs in Colorado will require a certificate or degree.

Read the news release from the Colorado Department of Higher Education.