FAFSA® Deadlines
College costs are rising, so financial aid is more important than ever. Students who complete the FAFSA® are much more likely to go to college. In the past, schools used surveys to guess how many students completed the FAFSA®, but those were often wrong. Now, Federal Student Aid (FSA) gives schools real-time data so they can track how many students submit and complete the FAFSA®.
Why FAFSA® Is Important:
Filling out the FAFSA® lets you apply for federal financial aid like grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study jobs. Colleges and states also use FAFSA info to give out their own aid.
Federal Deadline for FAFSA® (2025–26 School Year):
Submit your FAFSA by June 30, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Make any corrections by September 12, 2026.
State Deadlines:
Each state has its own FAFSA deadline. Some are much earlier, and aid may run out if you wait too long.
Tip: Always check with your state’s higher education agency or financial aid office to find the exact deadline.
College Deadlines:
Colleges and career schools also set their own deadlines. They might count the date you send your FAFSA, or when they get your processed form.
Tip: Contact the financial aid office at the school you want to attend to find out their deadline.
Apply Early:
Some aid is "first-come, first-served," meaning once the money is gone, it’s gone. Try to fill out your FAFSA as soon as it opens, which is usually in October.
View State Deadlines: studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/fafsa-deadlines
Quick Tips
If you want to increase FAFSA completions at your school or need help understanding the process, check out the Financial Aid Toolkit. It has tips for students, families, and counselors.