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On Campus Blog
Alex Friedrich

MnSCU applications nearly triple last month after fee waiver

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Remember the article I posted on Wednesday about the huge jump in applications that Bemidji State and Northwest Technical experienced because of last month's college application week?

Looks like the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) system saw overall applications almost triple after application fees were waived, according to the edited press release below.

Applications to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities skyrocketed during National College Application Week

Applications to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities skyrocketed over a year ago during the first-ever National College Application Week, an initiative to increase access to college, particularly for students from groups underrepresented in higher education.

Nearly 10,000 high school students submitted 15,600 applications to the 31 state colleges and universities, compared to 4,900 students who submitted about 5,500 applications during the same week in 2010.

Each college and university waived its $20 application fee from Nov. 14 to Nov. 18, resulting in the colleges and universities collectively forgoing about $300,000 in revenue. Students could complete one application and submit it simultaneously to more than one Minnesota state college or university, a service that had not been available before this year.

The week provided a framework for high schools and postsecondary institutions to collaborate in a concentrated push to engage underrepresented students in applying for college and to highlight college and career readiness programs throughout the state.

Seventeen Minnesota high schools served as pilot sites for the drive but many more high schools participated.  Pilot high schools were asked to dedicate time during that week for seniors to complete a college application with assistance from trained staff and volunteers. Many volunteers included staff from the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.

MSU-Mankato says it led the pack, more than quadrupling its applications to 2100, it reported in a separate statement.