Common App Expands Direct Admissions Program, Adds 46 Colleges
Credit: showqdf- First-generation and low- and middle-income students using the Common App will automatically be accepted to 116 colleges in 34 states.
- Eight of the institutions in New Jersey, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee offer at least free tuition to qualifying students.
- The Common App launched the direct admissions program last year after a successful pilot.
After the Common App’s latest expansion, qualifying students using the application platform will be automatically accepted to even more colleges and universities nationwide.
On Sept. 5, the Common App expanded direct admissions for first-generation students and low- and middle-income students from 70 schools to 116 schools in 34 states.
Qualifying students who apply through the Common App to participating schools and meet those schools’ GPA requirements will automatically receive admissions offers from those institutions.
“As we continue to work toward our moonshot goal of increasing the number of low- and middle-income students applying to postsecondary opportunities, it’s imperative that we find ways to change the narrative about college from one of scarcity to one of opportunity,” said Jenny Rickard, president and CEO of the Common App.
“With today’s launch of our 2024–2025 Common App Direct Admissions program, even more students will know they are worthy and welcome on a college campus.”
The Common App officially launched the program last year, which affected over 200,000 students from low- and middle-income families. A pilot had reported Black or African American, Latino/a, and first-generation students were most impacted by the direct admissions.
While direct admissions can help increase applications, a 2023 study suggests that these programs don’t significantly impact enrollments. The study said pairing these programs with low-cost initiatives for students, like free tuition, can boost enrollment outcomes.
Of the 116 schools, BestColleges found eight schools that offer free tuition:
- Kean University, Stockton University, and Rider University: All three New Jersey universities offer in-state and NJ Dream Act students from families making between $0 and $65,000 a year free tuition and fees through the Garden State Guarantee.
- The University of Nevada, Reno: In-state, full-time, Pell Grant-eligible students get free tuition, fees, and books through the Nevada Guarantee.
- Buffalo State University: The Excelsior Scholarship program covers tuition for New York students and NYS Dreamers from families making $125,000 or less per year.
- Portland State University: In-state, Pell Grant-eligible students in Oregon qualify for the Tuition-Free Degree program that covers tuition and most fees.
- Allegheny College: Pennsylvania students from families making $50,000 or less per year are automatically considered for free tuition and fees if they submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by May 1 each year.
- The University of Memphis: In-state high school seniors who qualify for Tennessee’s Hope Scholarship and the Pell Grant are automatically considered for the Memphis Promise to cover tuition.
North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities recently announced its direct admissions program for students. Requiring a 2.8 weighted GPA or higher, this program simplifies admissions to 26 private colleges in the state.