Texans can apply fee-free to public colleges during Free College Application Week Oct. 12-18

Texas students will be able to apply to any public college or university in the state without paying an application fee during Free College Application Week, which runs Oct. 12-18, 2026, Gov. Greg Abbott announced.

“Next week, a Texas student can apply to any public college or university and pay no application fee,” Abbott said. “I froze undergraduate tuition and fees through the 2026-27 academic year to keep costs down for Texas students. A three-year bachelor’s degree could cut the total bill further and save as much as $35,000. These steps will create a stronger Texas for generations to come.”

The state’s tuition freeze began in 2023, when Abbott directed all public colleges and universities to freeze undergraduate tuition rates. The freeze remains in place through the 2026-27 academic year for both two-year and four-year institutions, according to the governor’s office.

In August, Abbott also directed the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to develop a statewide framework for three-year bachelor’s degree pathways in high-demand, high-wage fields. The governor’s office said a three-year degree could cut the cost of a bachelor’s degree by up to 25% and save students $15,000 to $35,000.

“Free College Application Week is another way Texas makes it easier and affordable for students to plan for and advance their education,” Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser said. “All prospective students should take full advantage of this opportunity, which can save them hundreds of dollars as they apply to their chosen public Texas colleges and universities.”

Free College Application Week, signed into law by Abbott, requires every public college and university to waive admission application fees for Texas residents who apply through ApplyTexas to an undergraduate program. The governor’s office said more than 260,000 applications were submitted during last year’s Free College Application Week.

To qualify for the fee waiver, applicants must apply through ApplyTexas and submit their application no later than 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 18, 2026. Prospective students can also use My Texas Future and the Direct Admissions program to help streamline their college search, evaluate workforce needs and compare tuition, location and program value, according to the governor’s office. For details on residency status, students are directed to the Texas Residency Guidelines.