By Jett Whittington, The Alliance Gazette
Texas residents planning their next college step can submit eligible undergraduate applications without an application fee during Free College Application Week, Oct. 12–18, 2026.
The waiver covers Texas public colleges and universities through ApplyTexas. Submit between 12:00 a.m. CDT Oct. 12 and 11:59 p.m. CDT Oct. 18. Starting an application is not enough; it must be submitted within that window.
First-time, transfer, returning and visiting undergraduate applicants who meet the residency requirement may participate. Students can apply for any semester available in ApplyTexas. Graduate applications are excluded. Waivers on other application platforms are each institution’s decision.
ApplyTexas cautions that a fee and payment instructions may still appear during the process, although eligible applications submitted during the designated week will not require payment.
Applicants must still provide supplemental materials requested by their college. This is an application-fee waiver; it does not provide free tuition or guarantee admission.
Start at ApplyTexas.org. Review the state’s eligibility guidance at highered.texas.gov/free-college-application-week/ and check the college’s admissions requirements. For questions about the initiative, email CollegeandCareerAdvising@highered.texas.gov.