---
title: "Asheville Seniors Can Apply to College Free Through Sunday"
url: https://www.hereasheville.com/2026/10/20/asheville-seniors-free-college-applications-week/
date: 2026-10-20T05:16:21-04:00
modified: 2026-10-20T05:16:21-04:00
author: "Diane Mason"
categories: ["Education"]
site: "HERE Asheville"
attribution: "HERE Asheville"
---

# Asheville Seniors Can Apply to College Free Through Sunday

> ASHEVILLE, N.C. — High school seniors in Asheville have until Sunday afternoon to send college applications without paying a cent, as the statewide College Application Week rolls through its second day. The free window opened at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, and shuts at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25. During that stretch, students can

*Source: [HERE Asheville](https://www.hereasheville.com/2026/10/20/asheville-seniors-free-college-applications-week/) — October 20, 2026 by Diane Mason*

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — High school seniors in Asheville have until Sunday afternoon to send college applications without paying a cent, as the statewide College Application Week rolls through its second day.

The free window opened at 7:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 19, and shuts at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25. During that stretch, students can apply at no charge to 43 colleges and universities and to every one of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges.

For Buncombe County families, that list of community colleges includes Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, the A-B Tech campus that is also one of the larger employers in the area. The city is home to several other campuses as well, including UNC Asheville, Warren Wilson College and Montreat College, giving local seniors nearby options to weigh.

The week is run by College Foundation of North Carolina, which notes that application fees can stack up fast for students applying to more than one school. The program is chiefly backed by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.

Interest has been strong in past years. Last fall, more than 25,000 students used the program to file upward of 66,000 applications. Organizers pair the fee waivers with the simplified federal student aid form, known as the FAFSA, encouraging seniors to tackle both while counselors are focused on the process.

The full roster of schools waiving fees for most students is posted on the College Foundation of North Carolina website, along with separate guidance for adult learners who want to return to school.