Texas students submitted more than 400,000 applications to public colleges and universities during the second annual Free College Application Week, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board announced in an Oct. 21 news release.
According to the agency, students filed 402,583 applications during the Oct. 12-18 event, nearly 47 percent more than the 273,579 submitted during the first Free College Application Week in 2025.
The agency said students who apply during the week can save up to $75 per application fee, and their applications enter the admissions queue early. The waiver applies to eligible undergraduate applications submitted through ApplyTexas, the state’s application portal.
Texas Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser said the participation reflects students’ aspirations to earn a postsecondary certificate or degree, and thanked the advisors, counselors and administrators who raised awareness of the event. “Free College Application Week is one way we help them get a good start,” Rosser said.
The release also pointed students to several state resources. My Texas Future offers career and program exploration beginning as early as age 13. Direct Admissions provides a personalized list of Texas public universities where students may qualify for admission. ApplyTexas, which the board described as required for fee waivers during the week is the state’s application portal.