What is a college fly-in program?
A college or university fly-in program is a fully funded multi-day opportunity (virtually or in person) to explore colleges and universities for students who may not have the financial means to travel and visit their campuses.
The primary purposes of fly-in programs are to help students learn about universities, especially private institutions, and get assistance from the university with college applications. Some programs provide application fee waivers and cover the cost of food, travel, hotel/housing, and anything in between to make the process smoother.
Think of it like a scholarship for visiting college campuses. These college fly-in programs offer students an opportunity to see the campus first-hand and get a sense of the community, the resources, the location, and the offerings of the college or university.
How to apply for college fly-in programs
Fly-in programs typically open in the summer when school is out of session and offered primarily to rising high school seniors from low-income, rural and/or underrepresented backgrounds.
Many of the applications require a high school transcript and some essays. Others will require a list of activities and extracurricular activities as well as a letter of recommendation from a school professional.
Benefits of college fly-in programs
Yes, a free trip to a college or university is amazing! But there are so many other benefits of getting to visit colleges and universities you’re interested in attending.
1. Possible college application fee waivers
- For participants who complete a fly-in, many of these colleges and universities will offer application fee waivers to offset the cost. This incentive enables students to apply to schools they otherwise could not have.
2. Gaining greater exposure to private and out-of-state college and universities
- You might presume that private schools and out-of-state schools are more expensive and can pose financial barriers. However, for many private institutions, this is not always the case. For schools like the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University (both offer fly-in programs), they meet 100% demonstrated financial need for students seeking financial aid. For low-income students, this may mean a certain income threshold (example: an annual income of less than $75,000) which can equal financial aid that covers the entire cost of tuition and room and board.
3. Meeting a cohort of like-minded scholars
- Many of these fly-in programs are geared towards students from historically underrepresented backgrounds (students who are Black, Latinx, and Pacific Islander/Asian American), students from low
4. Learning about on-campus communities and resources
- Colleges and universities often offer presentations and tours of their various academic, career, cultural, and financial resources during fly-in programs to engage with the campus resources. For example, Amherst College’s fly in program, A2A, offers a virtual mock college application workshop to select participants, and Tufts University hosts panels with current faculty and professors as well as an opportunity to learn more about their Division of Student Diversity and Inclusion. Learning about these available resources allows students to decide if these colleges are a good fit for them and their needs and also can help students finalize their college list.
2025-2026 college fly-in programs
Are you hoping to visit college or university campuses this year? Here are the college and university fly-in programs that are currently open for applications!
Some of these fly-in programs can be competitive, much like a scholarship program, so make sure to put your best application forward. If your goal is to be exposed to new opportunities and locations for your college search, then a fly-in program can be the first step towards exploring the vast college options available to you.
