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If you plan on attending a school in the US and want to qualify for financial assistance, you will need to file your FAFSA every year. Learn about key FAFSA dates.
There are many ways to pay for college in the United States, but one of the most important is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is operated through the US Department of Education.
Each academic year, the deadlines for FAFSA remain relatively similar: Applications open on October 1 and close on June 30. Even with that window, it's a good idea to submit your FAFSA as early as possible because many schools distribute funding on a first-come, first-served basis.
In this article, we’ll go over key FAFSA deadlines here, including how to find your state’s and college’s respective deadlines, and the material you'll be required to submit in your application.
Important May 2024 Update
In 2024, FAFSA has been experiencing significant issues after the US Department of Education implemented several updates to the form. Some students have not been able to submit FAFSA at all because of site errors, and others won't learn about their financial aid package in time to make a decision about attending college due to major delays [1].
For both reasons, many students are considering deferring enrollment or delaying their plans for higher education [2]. If you're concerned about how the FAFSA difficulties will impact your educational goals, you're not alone. Here are some options to stay ahead:
If you're able to submit FAFSA, do so as soon as possible. Do not wait until the late June deadline.
Check local news reports to see whether your state has made any special accommodations. Certain states are working with students to provide financial aid without first submitting FAFSA.
If you've received an acceptance letter, contact the university you hope to attend and ask about postponing payments or other financial options that may be available to assist new students.
If you're forced to defer enrollment, make use of that pause by continuing your learning with a course, specialization, or Professional Certificate—all of which can further your knowledge and build on your skill set so you're even more prepared to start your degree.
Key FAFSA deadlines
Each year, the FAFSA form for the next academic year becomes available on October 1. That means, if you plan on starting college in the fall of 2024, your FAFSA form will be available on October 1, 2023 and will be due on June 30, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. CT.
If you wish to qualify for financial assistance in the form of federal funding, grants, and scholarships, you must submit a FAFSA form every year you plan on attending college as an undergraduate student, graduate student, or professional student.However, once you've submitted your first FAFSA, you may be able to renew your application each year if your situation hasn't changed.
| Academic school year | FAFSA available | FAFSA due |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 - Spring 2025 | October 1, 2023 | June 30, 2024 |
| Fall 2025- Spring 2026 | October 1, 2024 | June 30, 2025 |
Beyond the federal deadline, listed above, there are two other key FAFSA deadlines to consider when filling out your form: college and state.
College FAFSA deadline
Each college or university has a different financial aid deadline, though many tend to align with FAFSA’s deadline.
You can find yours by looking at the financial aid page of your school’s website: Conduct an internet search for your school’s name and “financial aid” to help you find that resource. Many financial aid pages also list contact information if you have questions the website doesn’t answer.
The financial aid page is usually also the best place to find your school’s Federal Student Code, so your information will be forwarded to the appropriate school for consideration. If you can’t find it, search online for your school’s name and “FAFSA code.”
FAFSA for incoming freshmen
Submitting your FAFSA form the year before you plan to attend college can be a bit confusing, because a school will only consider you for aid once you’re an admitted student. But most colleges recommend applying for FAFSA even before you’ve been accepted so that your information is on-hand by the time you hear about an admissions decision.
State FAFSA deadline
The last deadline to be aware of is your state’s FAFSA deadline. FAFSA.gov provides a list of state deadlines, which also include Canadian provinces and US territories. As with federal student aid, many states have limited funds and hand out assistance on a first-come, first served basis.
You do not need to apply directly to your state to qualify for aid. Instead, you need to submit your FAFSA by June 30.
Types of financial aid
FAFSA simplifies the process of applying for financial aid by allowing you to apply for several different types at once. With one form, you’ll be considered for grants, loans, work study jobs, and more:
Grants are aid that you don’t have to pay back as long as you successfully finish your degree. There are a number of grants available through FAFSA, including Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, TEACH Grants, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants.
Scholarships are also awards that you don’t need to pay back, but they tend to be merit-based or intended for certain groups of people, rather than for students with financial need.
Work study jobs are part-time jobs available to enrolled undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. In exchange for your labor, you’ll earn income to help cover some or most of your educational expenses.
Federal student loans usually feature a lower interest rate than private loans and come with some benefits, such as flexible repayment plans like income-based repayment (IBR). The amount of money you’re allowed to borrow each year depends on what year you are in school, whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, and your dependency tax status.
The types of aid and the amount of aid you get will depend on your financial situation. Once you've accepted admission at the school of your choice, you should receive a letter detailing what aid you will receive.
Need more help paying for college?
If you're looking for additional ways to afford college, consider getting a part-time job or paid internship to help pay for your tuition, course materials or equipment, and living expenses.
Read more: Jobs to Pay for College
Financial aid for international and trade schools
FAFSA recognizes some international schools. That means if you're a US citizen or eligible non-citizen who plans on studying abroad, you may qualify for student aid to help you cover the cost of your program. You can find a list of participating schools on FAFSA.gov.
FAFSA can also be used to obtain financial aid for trade schools and even some online degree programs. If you have questions about whether a program or school is eligible, it’s best to contact their financial aid office or a representative to learn more.
What do I need to submit my FAFSA form?
Whether you’re applying via desktop or mobile app, you’ll first need to create a FSA ID by entering your name and social security number. After creating your ID, you can fill out your application online at FAFSA.gov, apply via the myStudentAid app, or fill out a paper version and mail it in for processing.
Required FAFSA documents
If you are considered a dependent student, you will need to report both your financial information as well as your parent’s financial information. However, if you are an independent student, you will only need to report your financial information. Below, we’ve detailed the required and non-essential (but sometimes requested) information you'll need to include on your FAFSA.
To fill out your application, you’ll need to gather the following:
Required
Social security number or alien registration number (if you’re not a US citizen)
Federal tax returns, W2s, and any other documentation about your income
If applicable
Bank statements and records of investments
Records of untaxed income
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
It’s best to apply as close to the opening date, October 1, as possible. Federal Student Aid, the government provider of student financial assistance in the US, hands out grants, loans, and more on a “first-come, first-served” basis, meaning there’s more money to work with at the very start of a new FAFSA cycle. Submitting early may mean you receive more assistance, especially in the form of grants—or money you won’t need to pay back as long as you finish your degree.
Learn more about what you need to submit below, and plan to have your FAFSA materials ready to go by the first available date for the next academic year.
FAFSA applies to one single academic year, meaning you’ll need to resubmit your FAFSA every year you plan to attend college as an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student.
However, after you’ve filled out the form for the first time, renewing should be easier. After logging into your account, much of your information from the prior year will automatically populate on your new FAFSA application. You will need to update your income and tax information, along with any other personal information that has changed.
As a college student in the US, you are not required to submit a FAFSA form if you have another way to pay for your education, but doing so may help you qualify for a number of financial assistant resources, such as grants or work study programs. Your college may also use the information you provide on FAFSA to determine whether you qualify for any scholarships or grants they have to disburse.
If you want to receive student financial aid, you will need to attend an accredited college or university. That means your institution has been vetted by an independent agency approved by the US Department of Education for certain quality standards. Double check whether your school is accredited through the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Instutions and Programs.
Read more: What Is Accreditation? Guide to Accreditation and Alternatives
1. Inside Higher Education. "Untangling the Bungled FAFSA Launch, https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/student-aid-policy/2024/03/04/how-ambitious-plans-new-fafsa-ended-fiasco." Accessed May 3, 2024.
2. USA Today. "How FAFSA 'Fixes' Have Turned College Decision Day Into Chaos, https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2024/05/01/fafsa-rollout-issues-college-decision-day-impact/73243536007/." Accessed May 3, 2024.
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