Bethany Bump is reporting for the Times Union nearly all local colleges and universities in the Capital Region have seen an increase in applications. this year The University at Albany reports the largest increase, with more than 26,000 applications as of last weekend, up a record 20 percent over this time last year. New York's new program providing free tuition to families earning $100,000 or less is a factor in the increase, officials say, but they also credit new and expanded programs as the main reason. Local community colleges, which have seen enrollment decline as the economy recovers, are also seeing the number of applications increase. Private colleges, while trending upward in applications, are seeing mixed results. Highly selective institutions like Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy and Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs both saw record-breaking applications this season. Smaller private schools, like the Sage Colleges, Siena College and the College of Saint Rose, have seen smaller increases or remained steady compared to last year. Read the full story in the Times Union.