Utah Students Can Now Apply to State Public Colleges for Free
Starting in January, Utah students will be able to apply to any in-state public college for free. The Utah Board of Higher Education recently voted to eliminate application fees for students applying to any of the eight public colleges and universities in the state. This move makes Utah the first state in the country to entirely waive application fees for in-state students.
The decision was made in an effort to remove barriers for students and make college more accessible and affordable. The state’s Board of Higher Education aims to ensure that cost does not prevent any student from applying to college. The fees for Utah’s colleges and universities range from $20 at Salt Lake Community College to $55 at the University of Utah.
The eliminated fees will apply to Utah residents of any age, including those returning to school or those who have never attended. The schools free for Utah students to apply to will be: the University of Utah, Utah State University, Utah Valley University, Utah Tech University, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Salt Lake Community College, and Snow College.
This landmark decision echoes moves made by other states, such as New York and North Carolina, which have previously waived fees for a few weeks to encourage more students to apply. However, Utah’s step is intended to be permanent, making higher education more accessible to all students.
Geoff Landward, the interim commissioner for higher education in the state, stated that the system will need to figure out how to make up for the money typically raised from application fees. Currently, Landward is exploring the possibility of using a leftover appropriation from the Utah Legislature to cover this year’s fees, while developing a budget for the future.
This decision is a significant step in making higher education more accessible and affordable for students in Utah, setting a precedent for other states to follow in the future.
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