Houston Daily

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 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 was established by Senate Bill 2231 during the 89th Texas Legislative Session. Under this law, all public colleges and universities in Texas must waive admission application fees for Texas residents who use ApplyTexas to apply for undergraduate programs.

Free College Application Week is part of a broader effort that includes My Texas Future, ApplyTexas, and the Direct Admissions program. These resources aim to make it easier and more affordable for students to explore higher education options.

“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.

The event will be held annually during the second full week of October from Monday through Sunday. All Texas residents applying for undergraduate admission at public institutions through ApplyTexas are eligible, including both first-time college students and transfer students.

My Texas Future is an online platform designed to help prospective students connect with information about postsecondary opportunities. It offers features such as personalized career quizzes, comparisons of careers based on local demand and pay, exploration of credential programs by tuition costs and salary outcomes, as well as access to advisors.

Direct Admissions enables students to receive a list of participating Texas institutions where they may qualify for acceptance before starting the formal application process. Students provide academic details through their My Texas Future profile and can receive this information as early as the end of their junior year.