Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) have announced that Free College Application Week will take place from October 13 to 19, 2025. The initiative allows Texas residents to apply to public colleges and universities in the state without paying application fees.
“Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” said Governor Abbott. “During free college application week, Texans can apply to their preferred colleges or universities without application fees. By supporting our students today, we are investing in a stronger Texas tomorrow.”
The program is part of a statewide effort to make higher education more accessible. It was established by Senate Bill 2231 during the 89th Texas Legislative Session. The law requires all public colleges and universities in Texas to waive admission application fees for state residents who apply through ApplyTexas for undergraduate programs.
Free College Application Week is intended to complement existing resources such as My Texas Future, ApplyTexas, and the Direct Admissions program. These tools are designed to help students navigate the college search process and manage costs.
“In addition to the cost savings, combined with other tools available to Texans for planning and achieving educational and career goals, free application week removes a barrier so more students can take their first step toward higher education,” said THECB Commissioner Wynn Rosser.
This year marks the first time Free College Application Week will be held in Texas. In future years, it will occur annually during the second full week of October.
The initiative is open to all Texas residents applying for undergraduate admission at public institutions through ApplyTexas, including both first-time college students and transfer students. Residency requirements are outlined in the Texas Residency Guidelines.
My Texas Future offers digital resources that connect users with information about postsecondary opportunities in Texas. Features include personalized career quizzes, comparisons of local careers by pay and required education, as well as details on credential programs such as tuition costs and expected salaries after graduation. Users can create accounts, save preferences, request advisor support, and access related services like ApplyTexas and Direct Admissions.
Direct Admissions enables students who share their academic records through My Texas Future to receive a list of participating institutions where they qualify for acceptance before submitting formal applications. Students may receive this list as early as the end of their junior year.
