I found I had to let scripts run right from the start of the registration process, in order to get it to go through as free. In my case that meant clicking "allow" in my NoScript addon in Firefox. Without doing that, it always showed only the $35 dollar option.
just wondering, if you guys don't have any credit card, and wish to ask someone to get it now (for free), but the next 6 months, how are you going to renew it or even transfer it if you guys don't have the credit card.
lets say i could get the domain for you, but whats next?
Something to think about.