There are several different ways for a student to apply to college. Colleges often have more than one way for a student to submit an application for admission, so check with all your prospective schools prior to beginning and plan your applications strategically.

College Application Process - The Basics

 

Applying to College is FAST:

 

 

Fees - You will pay the application fee or submit a fee waiver (if you qualify) at the end of your application. Most community colleges do not charge an application fee. Fees per application range in cost from $25 - $95.

 

Application - Students applying to Texas state institutions will use the Apply Texas application found at the link below. This includes community and junior colleges. Many private and prestigious universities utilize The Common Application. Some students may choose to apply directly to the university through the university website. By using Apply Texas or The Common Application, students can easily apply to several colleges because profile information that is common to all applications is only entered once (and keeps your applications consistent as well). Students using The Common Application must also link their Common App account to their Naviance account so that counselors and teachers can submit the required paperwork.

 

Send Scores - If you are applying with test scores, you will need to send your official SAT or ACT scores to support your application. This will be done through your SAT (College Board) account or your ACT account. If you are applying as a test optional candidate, you may not need to send SAT or ACT scores to support your application for admission, but your college may need your scores for financial aid merit awards.  Junior and community colleges will not need test scores for admissions, but they may require TSIA2 scores for placement purposes. See the section regarding Testing for more information and how to register to test.

 

Transcript - After you have submitted your application to a college, you will need to request to have your transcript sent. This is done through Naviance. Colleges must be added to the student's 'colleges I'm applying to' list in order to request a transcript. The Registrar's office processes all transcript requests.  See the Naviance section for more information.

 

 

Application Fee Waivers - Students must be eligible for testing fee waivers in order to be eligible for application fee waivers. When registering for the SAT or ACT, eligible students use a fee waiver code to waive test registration fees.  Once a fee waiver is used for SAT testing, students automatically have a second free registration if they need to retest, unlimited score sends, and an application fee waiver request form they can print and send to colleges to waive the application fee.