FAFSA opens on October 1 each year and closes on June 30 the following year

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) follows a fixed calendar. The form becomes available to fill out on October 1, and you can submit it any time between then and June 30. This is the standard timeline every year, though the specific date you can start has shifted in recent years due to system updates.

The June 30 deadline is a hard stop for federal aid consideration. Schools use FAFSA information to make financial aid decisions, and most have their own earlier deadlines — often in February or March — to award aid from their own funds. Missing your school's deadline does not close the federal FAFSA itself, but it can mean you lose institutional money that runs out first.

Some states and schools set their own earlier deadlines for state or institutional aid. Check your school's financial aid website for those dates, because they are separate from the federal FAFSA deadline.

Key Takeaways

  • FAFSA opens October 1 and closes June 30 each year, but your school may have an earlier deadline for its own aid funds.
  • Submitting early — in October or November — increases the chance you will receive aid from sources that run out of money.
  • The form is free and available online at fafsa.gov; you do not need to pay anyone to help you fill it out.
  • If you miss the June 30 deadline, you can still submit FAFSA after, but federal aid consideration for that year is closed.

Why submitting early matters even though the deadline is June 30

Schools award aid on a first-come, first-served basis for many of their funds. Submitting your FAFSA in October or November means your school sees your information first and can reserve institutional money for you. Waiting until May or June often means those funds are already gone, even though the federal deadline has not passed.

Federal Pell Grants and federal loans are not first-come, first-served — you get them based on your financial need, not when you submit. But state grants, college grants, and scholarships often are. The earlier you submit, the better your chances of receiving money beyond the federal minimum.

What happens if you submit after June 30

You can submit FAFSA after June 30, but you will not be considered for federal aid for that academic year. The form will still process, and you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) showing your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) or Dependency Status. Schools can see this information, but federal aid offices will not disburse federal funds based on a late submission.

If you submit late, contact your school's financial aid office to ask whether they can still consider you for institutional or state aid. Some schools have their own processes for late submissions, though most have already distributed those funds by then.

How to know if FAFSA is currently open

FAFSA is open from October 1 through June 30. You can check the status at fafsa.gov, which displays whether the form is currently accepting submissions. The site also shows any system maintenance windows when the form is temporarily unavailable.

If you are applying during the open period and the form is not loading, the issue is usually a temporary outage or maintenance. Try again in a few hours. If you are outside the October 1 to June 30 window, you will see a message that FAFSA is closed for that year.

Different deadlines for different types of aid

The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, but other deadlines exist for other money:

  • Federal aid: June 30 (FAFSA deadline)
  • State grants: Varies by state, often February or March
  • College grants and scholarships: Varies by school, often February or March
  • Private scholarships: Varies by scholarship, often year-round or with rolling deadlines

Your school's financial aid office can tell you which deadlines apply to you. Many schools publish a financial aid timeline on their website showing all relevant dates.

What to do if you missed a deadline

If you missed your school's deadline for institutional aid, contact the financial aid office immediately. Some schools will still consider you if you submit FAFSA within a few days of their deadline, especially if you have a documented reason for the delay. There is no harm in asking.

If you missed the June 30 federal deadline, you can still submit FAFSA, but you will not receive federal aid for that year. You may still be considered for state or institutional aid depending on your school's policies. Fill out the form anyway and contact your school to ask what options remain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit FAFSA before October 1?

No. FAFSA does not accept submissions before October 1 each year. You can prepare by gathering documents like your Social Security number, tax returns, and W-2s, but you cannot submit the form itself until October 1.

What if I submit FAFSA on June 29 instead of June 30?

You will be considered for federal aid. The deadline is June 30, so any submission on or before that date counts. However, your school may have already distributed its own aid by late June, so earlier submission is still better for institutional money.

Do I need to resubmit FAFSA every year?

Yes. FAFSA is an annual form. You must submit a new FAFSA each year you want to be considered for aid. Each form covers one academic year only.

What if my school's deadline is before June 30?

Submit by your school's deadline, not the federal one. Schools set their own deadlines to award their own money first. Missing your school's deadline usually means you lose institutional aid, even though the federal FAFSA deadline is later.

Can I submit FAFSA on my phone?

Yes. FAFSA can be filled out on a phone, tablet, or computer. The form is the same regardless of device. Make sure you have your documents ready and a stable internet connection before you start.