Texas residents can apply to public colleges and universities in the state for free Oct. 13-19.
Typically, colleges and universities charge a fee for applications. But in the spring, state lawmakers passed legislation requiring schools to waive admission application fees for undergraduate programs for a week.
Applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas by 11:59 p.m. on the last day of free college application week to qualify. The initiative begins Oct. 13 at 12 a.m.
For Corpus Christi Independent School District students, this is the same time period as the district’s fall intersession.
Both prospective first-time college students and transfer students qualify for waived fees, as well as returning or visiting students.
Prospective college students often submit multiple college applications. According to guidance from the College Board for school counselors, five to eight applications targeting a mix of institutions where the chance of rejection is low and top choices is usually enough to ensure acceptance to a suitable institution.
But this can get costly.
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s application fee is $40. Other universities, like Texas A&M University in College Station, the University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University, charge $75.
Outside of Free College Application Week, some students might qualify for application fee waivers based on income and need. Students with questions about fee waivers should contact their school counselor.
What to know about automatic admission, financial aid
Each college or university sets its own admissions standards, but automatic college admission is guaranteed for certain top high school students applying to Texas public colleges and universities.
For most institutions, the cut-off required by the state includes students who are in the top 10% of their high school graduating class based on grade point average. Automatic admission is more exclusive for the University of Texas at Austin.
Through My Texas Future, students can check to see which colleges in Texas will automatically accept them before submitting an application.
To graduate from high school, Texas public school students are required to complete and submit either a Free Application for Federal Student Aid or a Texas Application for State Financial Aid, unless they submit a signed opt-out form.
The FAFSA allows students to be considered for federal, state and institutional financial aid opportunities. The TASFA is for Texas students who are not U.S. citizens.
In future years, Texas Free College Application Week will be held the second full week of October annually.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Here’s how Texans can apply to college for free Oct. 13-19
Reporting by Olivia Garrett, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
