While the average high school student spends hundreds of dollars on college applications, the Career center has given the opportunity to seniors and early graduates to participate in Apply Kansas. The goal of the program is to remove stress and financial burdens to students with the hope of more Kansans continuing educational opportunities after high school. With over 400 seniors participating, Apply Kansas had a successful outcome.
Eli Steinmetz, Trade senior, decided to apply to Kansas State University, “K-State is the best engineering school in the state of Kansas and since I want to go into mechanical engineering and build rollercoasters I decided that is where I would apply for the upcoming years,” Steinmetz said.
Apply Kansas took place on October 6th through the 8th and allowed students to send applications anywhere in Kansas.
“Monday through Wednesday all seniors and students graduating early have the chance to go to the library and apply to any schools in Kansas. They will have scheduled times for when to go after lunch,” Alma Garcia, head secretary in the career center, said.
In 2014 the first test run began through a partnership with the American College Application Campaign (ACAC), the program first began with a small test test school and after successful completion the program grew statewide. Over 253 high schools participate each year and over 50 colleges and universities allow the free application process.
Jacky Martinez, Health senior, decided to apply to more than one school. “I want to apply to college here, Garden City Community College, because I want to stay here for a year then go to K-State. So I also want to apply to K-State,” Martinez said.
In 2023 over 200 schools hosted, 11,890 students participated and 11,506 applications were submitted and in 2024 over students saved over 481,000 dollars in application fees.
“I want to be a nurse or an ultrasound technician so I am excited because this will help me in the future and let me see which schools will be best for me,” Martinez said.
Students were then able to further continue their post-secondary plans for after high school. The ACAC, American College Application Campaign, helps low-income and first generation students with their college applications.
“Do not stress,” Martinez said, “everything always works out in the end.”
