Alabama College Application Campaign Week Lets Seniors Apply Free to 60-Plus Colleges Through Oct. 9

MOBILE, Ala. — High school seniors across Alabama have until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, to take advantage of Alabama College Application Campaign Week, the annual push during which more than 60 participating colleges and universities waive their application fees.

The campaign runs Monday, Oct. 5, through Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. During that window, seniors can apply to any of the participating schools — a list that includes both in-state and out-of-state institutions — without paying the usual application fee.

Students who want to participate are being directed to their senior counselors, who can explain the details of how to apply and help them through the process.

Why the fee waiver matters

College application fees can add up quickly. Many colleges charge a fee for each application, and students who apply to several schools to compare acceptance offers and financial aid packages can find themselves paying a significant amount before they ever set foot on a campus. For some families, those costs can discourage students from applying at all, or limit them to just one or two options.

By waiving fees for a week, participating colleges remove that barrier. A senior who might have applied to a single school can, during this campaign, apply to several without the added expense — giving the student more choices when acceptance letters arrive and more opportunities to compare scholarship and financial aid offers.

Background: part of a national effort

Alabama’s campaign is part of a broader national initiative known as the American College Application Campaign, which encourages states to set aside time during the school day and school year to help high school seniors complete college applications. The effort places special emphasis on first-generation college students — those whose parents did not earn a college degree — and students from low-income families, who historically have applied to college at lower rates.

The approach is simple: bring the application process into the school building, provide help from counselors and educators and remove obstacles such as application fees. For many students, having an adult walk them through the process for the first time makes the difference in whether they apply.

Only a few days left

With today being Wednesday, Oct. 7, seniors have the rest of this week to act. The 5 p.m. Friday deadline is firm, so students who are interested should talk with their counselor as soon as possible, ideally before the end of the school day Thursday, to allow time to resolve any questions.

A checklist for seniors

Students planning to apply this week may want to have the following ready before sitting down with their counselor:

• A list of the colleges they are considering, and confirmation from their counselor that those schools are participating in the fee waiver
• Basic personal information, including their full legal name, address and contact information
• Information about their high school coursework and grades, and any college entrance exam scores they plan to report
• Any essays, short answers or activity lists that a particular college requires
• A personal email address they check regularly, since colleges often send updates and requests for additional documents by email

Because requirements differ from school to school, seniors should read each application carefully and ask their counselor about anything that is unclear.

Looking ahead: financial aid

Applying for admission is only one part of preparing for college. Students and families should also plan to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA, which is used to determine eligibility for federal grants, loans and work-study, and which many colleges and states also use to award their own aid. The FAFSA is a separate application from college admissions forms, and counselors can help families understand when and how to file.

Scholarship deadlines at individual colleges can also come early in the senior year, so students who are accepted should watch closely for any scholarship applications or priority dates attached to their admission.

Advice for parents

Parents and guardians can support their seniors this week by asking whether they have spoken with their counselor, helping them gather information they may need and encouraging them to apply to a range of schools. For families going through the college process for the first time, the counselor’s office is the best starting point for questions about applications, deadlines and financial aid.

For seniors, the message is straightforward: the fee-free window closes at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, and the first step is a conversation with a senior counselor.