During the 89th Legislative Session, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Texas Bill 2231, creating Free College Application Week across the state. This allows residents to apply to undergraduate public colleges and universities across the Lone Star State void of any application fees during a select period of time.
This statewide initiative will be available to first-time and transfer students, regardless of household income, via ApplyTexas: an application software where students can apply to Texas institutions. Free College Application Week starts at 12 a.m. CST on Oct. 13 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 19. The dates for this free period are subject to change.
House Bill 2231 passed with 122-25, with two representatives present who did not vote, fulfilling the necessary two-thirds majority required from both legislative houses. UT San Antonio student and global affairs major Emily Palmer offered her perspective on the timing of the incentive as someone who received fee waivers during her college application process.
“I think it would have been very essential years ago, especially during Covid. I think a lot of people were struggling with financial needs, and the question of college being huge for many people.” Palmer stated.
Reflecting on the impact fee waivers had on her application process, Palmer further explained, “That blockage wasn’t there, and I think I could see a lot of other students benefiting from it as well.”
The average cost of an application fee for a four-year Texas public college or university ranges between $40-$75, with the average number of applications per student being 6.8. This incentive does not apply to international students or graduate students. In Texas, the most applied to universities are University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, Rice University and the University of Houston, with application fees of at least $75.
Texas House Rep. Terry Wilson (R-Georgetown), who sponsored the bill, added his support, saying, “By waiving application fees during this window, we are sending a clear message: If you’re willing to work hard and pursue higher education, Texas wants you to succeed.”
During the announcement with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Gov. Abbott offered his comments on the bill’s passing.
“Texas prioritizes opportunities for students to pursue the best education they need to succeed in high-demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” Abbott said.
Once students are ready to begin their applications, they are expected to have certain information available for their applications. ApplyTexas applications require personal information such as social security number, mailing address and location, as well as high school information like start and end dates of attendance. In addition, students are required to have test information from ACT, SAT, TOEFL and IELTS, details of previous college credits such as dual, transfer, readmission and graduate, information about volunteering, awards and extracurriculars and senior coursework to complete applications.
