What you need to know
During Free College Application Week, application fees will be waived for all Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs at public colleges and universities located in Texas. First-time college students, transfer students and students returning to school are eligible, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
To qualify for the fee waiver, all applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s college application portal.
The free application period runs from midnight Oct. 13 to 11:59 p.m. Oct 19. In future years, it will be held during the second full week of October after state lawmakers approved Senate Bill 2231, a law creating Free College Application Week, in May.
“Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in an Aug. 29 news release. “By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.”
More details
Most high school seniors apply to 5-10 colleges or universities and each application costs about $60-$75, state lawmakers estimated in June.
“Free application week removes a barrier so more students can take their first step toward higher education,” Texas Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser said in the Aug. 29 release.
The fee waiver is not available to international students, students who are residents of other states or students applying to graduate programs, according to the THECB. More details about the requirements to be considered a Texas resident are available here.
