Future plans come into focus at ApplyNH 2025
Thousands of NH students get support with their college applications at in-school events around the state
At first, Nazlie Taban deflected questions about her future plans with humor: “I don’t even know what I’m going to wear tomorrow.”
Little by little, though, Nazlie began to dig deeper. She could see herself studying law. She was drawn to civil rights. And she liked the idea of being self-employed.
While Nazlie and some of her peers were grappling with big-picture questions, other students who had gathered in a small classroom at Franklin High School last month were putting the finishing touches on their college applications. ApplyNH is designed for students on both ends of the planning spectrum, and everywhere in between.
An annual initiative held in schools around NH each fall and facilitated by Granite Edvance, ApplyNH provides students with dedicated time and support during the school day to work on their college and trade-school applications. All NH colleges waive their application fees for the event, and many send volunteers to help with the events. Each school also receives a $500 scholarship to award to one student who submits a college application.
This year, a record 85 schools participated in ApplyNH, and more than 3,000 students completed over 6,000 applications, of which 5,648 were to NH colleges and universities. Granite Edvance was also able to open the initiative to community partner organizations this year, holding our first ApplyNH event for students in the high school equivalency test program at My Turn Inc. In Manchester, where three students completed college applications.
“Granite Edvance’s compassionate, hands-on approach helped make higher education feel truly accessible,” said Mary Peters, Director of External Partnerships for My Turn. “We’re deeply grateful for their partnership in helping our learners take their next bold step toward their futures.”
At Franklin High School, where about 31% of high school graduates entered four-year colleges and another 20% entered two-year colleges in 2023, the event helped some students make their first real steps toward college.
“It’s an opportunity for them to have support in the application process, but I think it’s also motivational,” said Cheryl Dore-Chapman, a school counselor and ApplyNH site coordinator at Franklin High School, where 13 students attended the event. “A lot of them are first generation. They want to go to college but don’t know how to get there or what they want to do.”
That was true for Cody Williams, who was working on his application and considering where to apply. “I’ve done almost nothing toward college,” he said. “I would not have applied [without ApplyNH]. This has been really helpful. It’s good to talk with someone firsthand.”
Other students, like Therese Cronin, who was applying to nursing programs at four NH colleges, came for more specific reasons. “I heard you can apply for free,” she said. “Also, it helps to have somebody look over your application.”
Across the state, at Nashua High School South, the financial benefit was a big draw as well. In addition to the annual fee waivers from all NH schools, the Granite Edvance team has secured fee waivers from dozens of schools outside the state by calling admissions offices, explained Granite Edvance College Success Specialist Kristin Lavigne, who was helping the students who had gathered in the high school resource room. “One student last week saved $650 in application fees,” she said.
Jessica Brox, who has been coordinating the event at Nashua South for the past several years, said she was also pleasantly surprised by some of the interactions that took place this year. “We had a lot of kids who, as they were wrapping things up, some questions popped up, and we were able to help them,” she said.
In total, 116 students – about a quarter of the school’s graduating class – participated this year. Brox believes that’s testament to the value of the program at Nashua South, which was one of the first schools to start hosting ApplyNH 11 years ago. In that time, the team has streamlined the event, running it like a well-choreographed show.
Each school’s ApplyNH event has its own flavor, but all share common elements, including a banner where students sign their names as they depart. Tiny and tentative or sprawling and bold, these signatures seem to stake a claim on the blank expanse of the future.
Caption information: Franklin High School student Nazlie Taban works on her college applications with school counselor Cheryl Dore-Chapman during the school’s ApplyNH event in November 2025.