Some applicants can skip the fee and apply for free
CSU supports options for students to apply for free as part of our commitment to access. We have options for graduate students to apply for free through institutional fee waivers, program affiliation fee waivers, and free application days. More information about these options is provided below.
To ensure you submit a high-quality application on time, we recommend starting your application early. Each graduate program has its own application deadline. Contact your graduate programs using the contact information published at Graduate Programs to confirm the application deadline and other requirements.
Fee waivers
CSU supports fee waivers for Graduate School applicants who can demonstrate participation in or affiliation with the following organizations:
- Applicants with degrees from U.S. Land-Grant Institutions (fee automatically waived)
- Applicants with degrees from regionally (HLC) accredited Colorado Institutions (fee automatically waived).
- Peace Corps (documentation must be provided)
- US Military – Veterans and Active Duty (documentation must be provided)
Application fees are automatically waived if you earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally (HLC) accredited Colorado Institution or a U.S. Land-Grant Institution (this includes CSU alumni)!
You will need to submit a fee waiver request form for the Peace Corps or US Military – Veterans and Active Duty waiver. These affiliations are verified by staff members and require you to upload confirmation documents such as an offer letter. Before applying for an application fee waiver, please ensure you can provide documentation of affiliation. Requests without adequate documentation will greatly delay the review of your application.
Fee waivers are for degree-seeking applicants only and cannot be used for certificate programs, returning applications, or non-degree GUEST applications. Applicants must have earned their undergraduate or graduate degree before starting their first semester in a graduate program.
Fee waiver instructions:
Start your application early! Processing the fee waiver request can take up to four business days. We recommend submitting your application at least one week before your program’s deadline to ensure there is enough time to process your fee waiver.
Be sure to use the same email address on both your graduate school application and fee waiver request form.
- Submit your graduate program application.
- If you qualify to have your application fee automatically waived because you earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally (HLC) accredited Colorado Institution or a U.S. Land-Grant Institution, you will see a confirmation message, and no further action is required.
- If you are applying for the veteran or Peace Corps fee waiver, do not immediately pay the application fee. Wait until a link to access the waiver request form appears beneath the payment section. This link may take up to 15 minutes to appear.
- Click the “review requirements and request a fee waiver” link to complete the fee waiver request; some fields may auto-populate from your application.
- Monitor the email you used to submit your application. You will receive a notification on the outcome of your fee waiver request within four business days.
- If your fee waiver request is approved, no further action is needed, and your application will move forward in our review process once it’s otherwise complete. If your fee waiver request is denied, you will be required to pay the application fee as part of completing your application.
FAQ: Fee waivers
After you submit your application, you should submit the fee waiver request form. Processing the fee waiver request can take up to four business days. We recommend submitting your application at least one week before your program’s deadline to ensure there is enough time to process your fee waiver. Application deadlines vary by program. If your fee waiver request is denied, you will need to pay the application fee to complete your application.
You must have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited Colorado institution to qualify for the fee waiver. An associate degree or certificate alone does not meet the requirement.
No action is needed. Your fee will automatically be waived if you received your bachelor’s degree or higher from an HLC-accredited Colorado Institution or a U.S. Land-Grant institution that was accredited during the time you were enrolled. Your attendance will be verified through your transcripts.
Yes, fee waivers are available for honorably discharged Veterans when required documentation is provided.
Free Graduate Application Days
Colorado State University will offer free application days for graduate admissions on December 1, 2024, and January 14-15, 2025. All applicants new to a graduate degree program at CSU can apply for free during these days. Eligible degree programs include Master’s, Accelerated Master’s, and Doctoral. Please contact [email protected] if you have problems submitting your application.
Start your applications early!
Each graduate program has its own application deadline, and some programs have deadlines prior to the free application days. Do not assume your program’s deadline is after December 1. Contact your graduate programs using the contact information published at Graduate Programs to confirm the application deadline and other requirements.
To ensure you’re submitting a high-quality application on time, we recommend that you begin your application before December 1.
Free day application instructions:
Before applying, review your program’s application deadlines and requirements, and review the “How to Apply” guide for graduate admissions. Then, apply at gradadmissions.colostate.edu/apply.
To submit your application on Free Application Days, you must provide the following materials and click the submit button on the application.
- Names and contact information for recommenders/references
- Upload Statement of Purpose
- Upload CV/resume
- Required essay and supplemental question responses
- Personal History Statement
Other required materials, such as recommendation letters, transcripts, self-reported English proficiency scores (for international students), and departmental requirements such as test scores (if applicable) do not need to be submitted on or received by the free application day in order for your application to be free. However, they must be submitted by your program’s published application deadline.
You can begin your application at any time, and we recommend that you do so. Your content will be saved as you fill out the application. You must click submit on your application by 11:59 p.m. MST one of the three free days to qualify for the free application. If you’re in a different time zone, please use a time zone converter, which can be found online, to ensure you meet the deadline.
No refunds will be given for applications submitted before or after the free day dates.
FAQ: Free Graduate Application Days
Questions? Contact Us!
For questions about program application deadlines and requirements: Contact the academic and/or admissions contact on your Graduate Program page.
For issues submitting your application: Please email [email protected]
If you have questions about program affiliation for an application fee waiver, please consult with the Graduate School, the Office of International Programs (OIP) , or your department coordinator.