This initiative stems from Texas Senate Bill 2231<\/a>, passed during the 89th Texas Legislative Session, which codified it into law.<\/p>\n Here’s how to take advantage of the opportunity and which major public universities are participating.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n How to apply to college for free in Texas?<\/p>\n THECB said applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas<\/a> by 11:59 p.m. CDT on the last day of Free College Application Week to qualify.<\/p>\n Applications that are started but not submitted before Free College Application Week ends are not eligible.<\/p>\n Who can apply?<\/p>\n All Texas residents applying for undergraduate admission at Texas public institutions through ApplyTexas may participate.<\/p>\n This includes first-time college students and transfer students. For details on residency status, see THECB’s Texas Residency Guidelines<\/a>.<\/p>\n What public colleges and universities are in Texas?<\/p>\n Check ApplyTexas for the full list of schools, but Texas has six public higher education systems that house more than 30 institutions:<\/p>\n University of Texas (UT) System \u2014 based in Austin.<\/p>\n Texas A&M University System \u2014 based in College Station.<\/p>\n Texas A&M (College Station)<\/p>\n Texas A&M-Commerce (East Texas A&M)<\/p>\n Texas A&M International (Laredo)<\/p>\n Texas Tech University System \u2014 based in Lubbock.<\/p>\n Texas State University System \u2014 based in Austin.<\/p>\n University of Houston (UH) System \u2014 based in Houston.<\/p>\n University of North Texas (UNT) System \u2014 based in Denton.<\/p>\n Texas Woman’s University System \u2014 based in Denton.<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n What about graduate school applications in Texas?<\/p>\n The law only requires Texas public colleges and universities to waive application fees for undergraduates.<\/p>\n However, some schools, like Texas Tech, have also waived application fees for Texas residents applying to eligible graduate programs<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Check with specific graduate schools to see whether they waive application fees during this time.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/usa_today_news_641\/13a5d969a2714e5cceb4c790a9bcbd00.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"FILE](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/usa_today_news_641\/40697763f26e09a05d6920458ecc1d0f.jpg\"\/)
<\/p>\n