To ease the sticker shock of college applications, Texas is hosting its Free College Application Week from Oct. 12 to 18.
During the week, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) says all public colleges and universities in Texas must waive admission application fees for Texas residents applying to undergraduate programs through ApplyTexas.
This initiative stems from Texas Senate Bill 2231, passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, which codified it into law.
Here’s how to take advantage of the opportunity and which major public universities are participating.
A student walks at the University of Texas campus in Austin, Texas, June 23, 2016. The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday, upheld the practice of considering race in college admissions, rejecting a white woman’s challenge to a University of Texas affirmative action program designed to boost the enrollment of minority students.
How to apply to college for free in Texas?
THECB said applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas by 11:59 p.m. CDT on the last day of Free College Application Week to qualify.
Applications that are started but not submitted before Free College Application Week ends are not eligible.
Who can apply?
All Texas residents applying for undergraduate admission at Texas public institutions through ApplyTexas may participate.
This includes first-time college students and transfer students. For details on residency status, see THECB’s Texas Residency Guidelines.
What public colleges and universities are in Texas?
Check ApplyTexas for the full list of schools, but Texas has six public higher education systems that house more than 30 institutions:
University of Texas (UT) System — based in Austin.
Texas A&M University System — based in College Station.
Texas A&M (College Station)
Texas A&M-Commerce (East Texas A&M)
Texas A&M International (Laredo)
Texas Tech University System — based in Lubbock.
Texas State University System — based in Austin.
University of Houston (UH) System — based in Houston.
University of North Texas (UNT) System — based in Denton.
Texas Woman’s University System — based in Denton.
FILE PHOTO: A general view shows Texas A&M University campus in College Station, Texas, U.S. December 6, 2016. REUTERS/Spencer Selvidge/File Photo
What about graduate school applications in Texas?
The law only requires Texas public colleges and universities to waive application fees for undergraduates.
However, some schools, like Texas Tech, have also waived application fees for Texas residents applying to eligible graduate programs during the same period. Current Texas Tech undergraduate students can also apply to the Graduate School for free during the week, regardless of their state of residency.
Check with specific graduate schools to see whether they waive application fees during this time.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas, based in Austin. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Free college applications begin Oct. 12 at Texas schools