Skip to main content

Updated: Eliminating In-State College Application Fees

The public higher education system in Utah has come together to eliminate in-state college application fees. 

Traditionally, college application fees have been a hindrance for many prospective students, especially those from low-income families. These fees can accumulate when applying to multiple institutions, discouraging students from pursuing higher education. In recognizing this challenge, Utah's public higher education institutions decided to take a collective stand to address this issue.

The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) governed by the Utah Board of Higher Education, comprising Utah's sixteen public colleges and universities, voted on Friday to eliminate application fees for in-state applicants. This unified effort is aimed at removing financial barriers and promoting equal access to higher education for all Utah residents. 

“USHE has long been laser-focused on increasing access to college and changing the college-going rate,” said President Deneece Huftalin. “We know that removing application fees has improved applications in the state before, and we would like to see that trend continue. This is a great step in removing barriers to higher education and a way to ensure that everyone has access without any sort of financial barrier limiting them.”

SLCC will begin waiving the admission fee starting January 4, 2024. The Board will pursue various sources of funding while working to develop a proposal to cover lost fee revenue. This move supports the Board’s strategic plan and goals in the areas of access, completion, and workforce alignment. By streamlining the application process and reducing financial barriers, SLCC and other public institutions in Utah are paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse future.

“At the heart of this decision is a commitment to providing as many students as possible with the opportunity for higher education,” said Board member Cydni Tetro. “Eliminating application fees for USHE colleges is a tremendous step forward in ensuring access and opportunity. This demonstrates the alignment of our entire education system to meet the needs of our students and communities by empowering individuals, enhancing their lives and opening doors statewide; we are thrilled to let in-state students know that application fees are officially waived.”


Information and details when this will take effect here at SLCC will be updated to this article as soon they become available.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Rev Up Your Future at SLCC Annuals Hop into College

SLCC West Valley Center will be opening its doors on Friday, August 2, from 6-9 pm for their annual lowrider event that celebrates the automotive culture and welcomes current, past, and future Bruins into the SLCC community. This unique event allows lowriders to showcase their vehicles and for spectators to witness the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into a lowrider car. From the sleek custom paint jobs to the impressive hydraulics showcased at the hop-off, attendees get immersed in the vibrant culture created by SLCC West Valley’s community. Beyond the car show, Hop into College provides prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore SLCC, engage with their future peers, staff and faculty and obtain valuable insight into the degrees and programs offered. Furthermore, the community is provided with countless beneficial resources not only as an SLCC student but as a community member. Whether interested in learning more about the lowrider community o...

SLCC Alumnus and U.S. Diplomat to Speak at 2025 Commencement

Salt Lake Community College’s 2025 Commencement speaker Branigan Knowlton will share his perspectives drawn from a 12-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. In serving his country, Knowlton has honed his foreign relations and diplomacy skills in Hong Kong, Mexico, Colombia and Italy. Knowlton is also a proud Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) alumnus (2002).     Knowlton currently serves at the U.S. Embassy in Rome. Before reporting to the embassy, he was detailed to the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport as part of the Transatlantic Diplomatic Fellowship program. In Bogotá, Knowlton worked for the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, and in Hermosillo, Mexico, he worked for the Bureau of Consular Affairs. His first assignment abroad was in Hong Kong, where he worked for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs.     "I've actively sought opportunities that push me into the unfamiliar, even when ...

Recognizing SLCC's 2025 Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Andrew Vogt, PhD Associate Professor, Engineering

The Distinguished Faculty Lecturer is a recognition of quality work by one of Salt Lake Community College’s full-time faculty and a charge to develop that work over an academic year into a public presentation. A committee chosen by the Associate Provost for Learning Advancement selects the faculty lecturer each year. The lecture takes place in the spring. Distinguished Faculty Lecturer Andrew Vogt, PhD Associate Professor, Engineering Dr. Andrew Vogt’s teaching philosophy is guided by two principles, curiosity and efficiency.  “Curiosity leads us to study a topic and allows us to really understand the ins and outs of research, while efficiency is all about sustainability,” he says. Andrew describes curiosity as a pure, open-minded impulse to explore, such as the ease with which children learn new concepts with virtually no instruction. Efficiency adds maturity to that childlike impulse, creating structures and pathways for accomplishment.  Andrew’s work has alwa...