College Application Week runs through September 29. Most of these applicants are high school seniors applying for the fall 2023 semester, for which USI opened in August.
Rashad Smith, executive director of enrollment said this is the busiest application week of the year with about 1,000 this week alone.
“We understand that the whole college search process can be challenging,” he said. “And we want to make sure that we bring awareness to opportunities that we have available here at the University of Southern Indiana.”
Allison Kuehr is associate commissioner for marketing and communication with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, which sponsors the College Go! Campaign. She said the average cost to apply to Indiana schools is about $50.
“We know cost is the number one barrier for many Hoosiers, students and families,” she said. “And by being able to just waive the application fee for some institutions that can help to remove that initial barrier to pursuing education beyond high school.”
The overall goal is to improve the current 53-percent college going rate, which has roots in the pandemic.
Kuehr said the college going rate was 65-percent in 2015, and is holding steady at 53-percent.
She said the main purpose of the College Go! Program is to get students thinking about what they want to do after they graduate high school, and thinking about it sooner, than later.
“Whether it's pursuing a certificate program through a trade school, or going to a four year university, it's not too early to start thinking about what a student is interested in doing, what are their career goals or what are things that they're good at and they want to explore.”
That drop in attendance includes certificates up to four-year programs.
She said the goal is to improve that rate with College Go!, as well as the 21st Century Scholars full tuition program and their informational website, learnmoreindiana.org when you can learn the details of these programs.
Many high school seniors apply to more than one college. It’s $40 to apply to USI and Rashad Smith said waiving the fee can increase awareness of USI.
“But also make sure that we are still serving who we are, in providing access to higher education in our region.”
Kuehr said to receive the fee waiver, students must apply through the university itself — not apps like Common Application.
Ivy Tech Community College doesn’t charge for admission.
Jace Lux from Western Kentucky University said certain applicants may qualify for application fee waivers, including students who receive free or reduced lunch, ACT or SAT waivers, SNAP benefits or supplemental security income.
He said students with questions about their fee waiver eligibility are encouraged to contact the WKU Office of Admissions at 270-745-2551.
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