Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
What is the Coalition Application for College?
Zach Skillings is the Scholarships360 Newsletter Editor. He specializes in college admissions and strives to answer important questions about higher education. When he’s not contributing to Scholarships360, Zach writes about travel, music, film, and culture. His work has been published in Our State Magazine, Ladygunn Magazine, The Nocturnal Times, and The Lexington Dispatch. Zach graduated from Elon University with a degree in Cinema and Television Arts.
Full BioLearn about our editorial policies
Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.
Full BioLearn about our editorial policies
The Coalition Application is an online platform that allows students to apply to multiple schools at once. At first glance, the Coalition is very similar to the Common App. However, the Coalition is unique in that it specifically caters to students seeking an affordable college education. Keep reading to learn more about the Coalition and why you should consider using it.
See also: Coalition vs. Common App: What is the difference?
What is the Coalition application?
The Coalition was founded in 2015 with the goal to improve the college application process for low-income, underrepresented, and first-generation students. Each of the 150+ colleges that accept the Coalition Application are committed to providing financial aid for students. To become a member of the Coalition, colleges must meet specific criteria.
For instance, Coalition schools are required to enroll a significant number of low-income and under-resourced students. Colleges must also be affordable and make a commitment to graduating their students with little to no debt. The Coalition also requires its member colleges to achieve high graduation rates, including strong rates for low income and under–represented students.
Because Coalition schools are required to meet these rigorous standards, students applying to these colleges can expect affordable tuition rates and/or substantial financial aid packages.
Also see: What is need-based financial aid?
What else should I know about the Coalition?
The Coalition isn’t just an application platform. It also provides tools and resources to help students navigate the application process. For instance, the Locker tool allows students to keep track of important application materials throughout their high school years. Beginning in ninth grade, students can use their virtual “locker” to save documents that could be useful when it comes time to apply for college. These could include things like essays, recommendation letters, and personal projects. Once students are ready to apply for college, they can upload documents directly from their Locker into the application.
The Coalition also features an online Collaboration Space where students can share important documents with counselors, parents, or mentors. For example, you could ask a mentor to provide input on your college list or edit your college application essay. Your mentor could then view these documents and make comments in the margins. Think of the Collaboration Space as the Google Drive of the college application process.
Keep in mind that students do not have to use the Collaboration Space or the Locker to submit an application through the Coalition. They’re simply additional features available for students who want to use them.
Don’t miss: CollegePoint Review
Is it worth using the Coalition Application?
If your top priority is attending an affordable college and graduating with little to no debt, then the Coalition may be worth considering. Every school that you apply to through the Coalition will make significant efforts to meet your financial need if accepted. That being said, you’ll have far fewer schools to choose from on the Coalition than you would the Common App. Plus, most schools that accept the Coalition also accept the Common App. As a result, you might be better off sticking with the Common App.
Before you make a decision, check to see if any of your desired schools are exclusive to the Coalition (meaning they do not use the Common App). If that’s the case, using the Coalition may be the way to go. The Coalition may also be worth using if you appreciate the function of the Locker tool and the Collaboration Space. To learn more, check out our guide comparing the Coalition with the Common App.
Related: How to get a college application fee waiver
Additional resources for students applying to college
As you prepare to apply for college, make sure to check back with us to help answer the rest of your questions. We can help you decide how many colleges to apply to, and how to find safety, reach, and match schools. We also have a guide to help you put together a strong admissions application, and a guide to get strong letters of recommendation.
Finally, when it comes time to write essays, look no further. Our guide to writing an essay about yourself is just what you need. Once you’ve seen that, try our guides for writing 250 word essays and 500 word essays. And for your Common App schools, check out our guide to answering the Common App prompts. Good luck in your application and college choice process!
Frequently asked questions about the Coalition App
How much does the Coalition App cost?
Does the Coalition App have an essay?
Can I use both the Common App and the Coalition App?
How many colleges can I apply to through the Coalition?
Do all schools on the Coalition application have the same requirements?