Clear Creek ISD seniors can apply to any Texas public college or university with no application fees through Sunday, Oct. 18.

Texas Free College Application Week, established through Senate Bill 2231 during the 2025 legislative session, requires every public institution to waive undergraduate admission fees for Texas residents who apply through the ApplyTexas portal. Clear Creek ISD promoted the week on its official Facebook page, directing seniors at Clear Springs, Clear Creek and Clear Falls high schools to take advantage.

Application fees at Texas public universities run $50 to $100 per school, according to KPRC 2. A senior applying to 12 schools could save as much as $1,200. Private universities are not included.

The waiver covers first-time college students, transfer students, returning students and visiting students seeking undergraduate admission. Graduate programs are not covered, according to WFAA. All applications must be submitted through ApplyTexas.org by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Sunday, Oct. 18. Applications started but not finished before that cutoff will not qualify.

Students may see fee amounts or payment prompts while filling out the application. Eligible applicants will not be charged.

More than 260,000 applications were submitted during the program's first year in 2025, according to state officials. Gov. Greg Abbott, who signed the bill into law, said in an Oct. 8 press release that he directed public universities to freeze undergraduate tuition and fees through the 2026-27 academic year. Texas Higher Education Commissioner Wynn Rosser said in the same release that the fee waiver can save prospective students hundreds of dollars.

Jessica Buscemi, lead advisor for Texas Connections Academy, told KPRC 2 that students should apply strategically and focus on schools that match their academic goals. "Missing deadlines is one of the biggest mistakes students make during the college application process," Buscemi said.

Families can start at ApplyTexas.org. The state's My Texas Future portal at mytexasfuture.org helps students compare tuition costs and match degree programs to career interests before submitting applications.