Alabama high school seniors will be able to apply to dozens of public and private colleges for free this week.
Through Friday, colleges in Alabama and other southeastern states are waiving application fees as part of Alabama College Application Week.
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The effort, now in its 11th year, is part of the larger Alabama Goes to College push to help more students — especially those who are first in their families to attend college or from lower-income households — take the next step after high school.
Most application fees at four-year colleges typically range from $25 to $50, but some colleges have dropped application fees completely. Alabama’s community colleges do not charge an application fee.
For seniors participating in the state’s new Direct Admission Initiative, applying isn’t necessary at all. Students can get early acceptance offers from Alabama colleges through a college-match tool, skipping the traditional application process altogether.
And while direct admission is new, the week-long campaign is a familiar tradition across Alabama schools.
“During this event, local high schools will be hosting special college application celebrations with students submitting applications to colleges nationwide,” said Monica Mack, who coordinates the Alabama College Application Campaign for the state department of education.
“Last year, more than 300 Alabama schools participated and nearly 30,000 students applied to colleges nationwide,” she said.
Expanding enrollment
This year, more than 380 Alabama high schools are participating.
The free week is also a way for colleges to expand enrollment. All but three Alabama public universities have higher preliminary enrollment numbers this year than last year, according to the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
Auburn University and the University of Alabama system are among the schools waiving application fees this week.
“UAB proudly participates in Free Application Week to help reduce financial barriers in the college admissions process,” UAB undergraduate admissions director Kathleen Stallings said. “Free App Week promotes access and makes the application process less intimidating to students who are considering UAB.”
Participating colleges and universities include:
Four-year schools
Alabama A&M University — Alabama
Alabama State University — Alabama
Allen University — South Carolina
Auburn University at Montgomery — Alabama
Brenau University — Georgia
Florida Southern College — Florida
Fort Valley State University — Georgia
Georgia Gwinnett College – Georgia
Georgia Southwestern State University — Georgia
Huntingdon College — Alabama
Jacksonville State University — Alabama
Lincoln Tech — Tennessee
Lipscomb University — Tennessee
Maryville College — Tennessee
Mercer University — Georgia
Miles College — Alabama
Mississippi College — Mississippi
Mississippi University for Women — Mississippi
South Carolina State University — South Carolina
Spring Hill College — Alabama
Stillman College — Alabama
Talladega College — Alabama
Troy University — Alabama
Tuskegee University – Alabama
Union University — Tennessee
University of Alabama
University of Alabama Birmingham
University of Alabama in Huntsville
University of Mobile
University of Montevallo
University of North Alabama
University of South Alabama
University of West Alabama
University of West Florida — Florida
Community colleges
Bevill State Community College
Bishop State Community College
Calhoun Community College
Central Alabama Community College
Coastal Alabama Community College
Drake State Community and Technical College
Gadsden State Community College
Lawson State Community College
Lurleen B. Wallace Community College
Northeast Alabama Community College
Northwest Alabama Community College
Reid State Technical College
Shelton State Community College
Wallace Community College-Dothan
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Trisha Powell Crain and originally published by Alabama Daily News.
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