The idea of being able to apply to 36 colleges for a small fee might sound like a scam, but to Robert Mason, president and founder of the Atlanta-based company EDU Inc., it’s very real.

With the economy seemingly not getting back on track anytime soon, students are applying to college to be able to qualify for jobs in a tougher market. However, being able to apply for school, especially for families of color, can come with a hefty price tag in the hundreds of dollars.

Mason’s program, the Common Black College Application, allows for students to pay only a $35 application fee and apply to 36 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Schools on the list are from across the country and are various sizes, including Florida Memorial University, Clark-Atlanta University and Morris College. read more…