TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas residents will have five days next week to apply to dozens of colleges and universities across the state without paying an application fee.
The Kansas Board of Regents will hold its 2026 Kansas Apply Free Days from Monday, Oct. 5, through Friday, Oct. 9. This year marks the first time the program has been expanded from three days to five.
During the five-day period, any Kansas resident, regardless of age or income, can submit qualifying applications for free to seven public universities, 19 community colleges, six technical colleges and 21 private institutions that are members of the Kansas Independent College Association.
The program covers general admission applications as well as applications for certificate, associate degree and bachelor's degree programs. First-time freshmen, transfer students, returning students and those seeking a second bachelor's degree are eligible. Graduate programs and certain mid-degree applications are not included.
Applications must be submitted between Oct. 5 and 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, to qualify for the waived application fee. The Board of Regents recommends prospective students begin working on applications before the free period begins, but wait until Monday to submit them. Applications submitted outside the designated period will not qualify for a refund, even if technical problems delay submission.
Several Kansas institutions already accept applications without a fee throughout the year. Applications to all 19 Kansas community colleges are free year-round. Emporia State University, Pittsburg State University and Washburn University also do not charge application fees. Among the public universities that normally charge fees, Fort Hays State University charges $30, while Kansas State University, the University of Kansas and Wichita State University each charge $40.
Apply Free Days are part of the state's broader Apply Kansas initiative, which encourages students to complete applications for postsecondary education and career credentials. The Board of Regents says the program is intended to remove financial barriers and help increase the state's college-going and FAFSA completion rates.
After applying, students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and explore state financial aid opportunities.
More information, including application instructions for individual institutions, is available through the Kansas Board of Regents Apply Free Days page.