FAFSA closes on June 30 each year, but state and school deadlines come much earlier

The federal FAFSA form itself stays open until June 30, but that date is almost useless to you. Your state and your school have their own deadlines — usually in March or April — and missing those means losing money even if the federal form is still open. Schools award aid from a limited pool, and they give it out on a first-come, first-served basis. Submit after your school's deadline and you may get nothing, even if you were otherwise may be able to access.

The exact closing date for your state and school depends on where you live and where you plan to attend. Some states close their FAFSA consideration in early March. Others stay open through May. Your school's financial aid office sets its own deadline too, and it is almost always earlier than June 30. You need to find both dates before you start filling out the form.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal FAFSA closes June 30, but your state and school close much earlier — usually between March and May — and missing those deadlines costs you money.
  • Schools award aid on a first-come, first-served basis from a limited budget, so submitting late means smaller grants or loans even if you are otherwise may be able to access.
  • You can find your school's FAFSA deadline on its financial aid website or by calling the financial aid office directly.
  • Submitting by October 1 of the year before you start school gives you the best chance at maximum aid, even though the form does not officially open until October 1.

How to find your school's deadline

Go to your school's financial aid website and look for "FAFSA deadline" or "priority deadline." Most schools list it clearly on the main financial aid page. If you cannot find it online, call the financial aid office — they answer this question dozens of times a day and can tell you in one minute.

Write down both dates: your state's deadline and your school's deadline. Use whichever comes first. If your state closes March 1 and your school closes April 15, you have until March 1. Many students miss their state deadline because they only looked at their school's date.

What happens if you submit after the deadline

Your FAFSA will still process and you will still get a financial aid package. But the money available to you will be smaller. Schools have a fixed amount of grant money each year. They give it to students who submit early. By the time you submit in May or June, the grants are gone and you may only be offered loans.

Late submission also affects your housing assignment and course registration at some schools. If financial aid is not confirmed by the deadline, the school may not hold your dorm room or reserve your spot in required classes. You can still attend, but you may end up in worse housing or a worse class schedule.

The difference between state deadlines and school deadlines

States that offer their own grant programs — like Cal Grants in California or the Florida Student Assistance Grant — set a deadline for when they need to see your FAFSA to consider you. This is separate from the federal deadline. If you live in a state with its own grant program and you miss that state deadline, you lose access to that money for the year.

Your school's deadline is when the financial aid office needs your FAFSA information to build your aid package and send you an offer. Schools that are popular or have smaller budgets often close their FAFSA consideration earlier than schools with more money. A state school might close in April while a private school closes in February.

When to submit to get the most aid

Submit as soon as the FAFSA opens on October 1. You do not have to wait until January or February. The earlier you submit, the more aid is available to you. Schools begin awarding money on a rolling basis starting in October, so submitting in October puts you ahead of students who submit in March.

If you are a dependent student, you will need your parents' tax information. You can use an estimate or last year's return if this year's taxes are not done yet. Do not wait for taxes to be filed. Submit with what you have and update it later if the numbers change. Submitting on time with estimated numbers beats submitting late with exact numbers.

What to do if you missed the deadline

Submit your FAFSA anyway. You will still receive federal loans and may still receive some aid, depending on your school's policies. Some schools have a second or third round of aid distribution for late submissions. Call your school's financial aid office and ask if money is still available.

If you are a high school senior who missed the deadline for fall enrollment, ask about spring semester enrollment instead. Some schools have separate deadlines for spring admission, and you may have better luck with aid if you start in January rather than September. You can also ask about deferring your enrollment to the following fall and reapplying with more time to prepare.

How to track your FAFSA status

After you submit, log into your FAFSA account at studentaid.gov and check the status. It will tell you whether your form was received, whether it is being processed, and when your school will receive the information. You can also see your Student Aid Report (SAR), which shows the information you submitted and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — now called the Student Aid Index (SAI).

Your school will send you an aid package once they receive your FAFSA data. This usually takes two to four weeks after submission, but can take longer during peak season in March and April. If you have not heard from your school six weeks after submitting, contact the financial aid office to confirm they received it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit FAFSA after June 30?

No. The federal FAFSA closes June 30 and does not reopen until October 1. If you miss June 30, you cannot submit for that academic year. You can submit for the next academic year starting October 1.

Do all schools have the same FAFSA deadline?

No. Every school sets its own deadline, usually between February and May. Some schools have rolling deadlines, meaning they consider FAFSA submissions throughout the year but award the most aid to early submissions. Check your specific school's website.

What if my state does not have a FAFSA deadline listed?

Some states do not have their own grant programs and therefore do not have a state-level FAFSA deadline. In that case, follow your school's deadline. You can confirm whether your state has a deadline by visiting your state's higher education agency website or calling your school's financial aid office.

Can I get aid if I submit in July or August?

No. The FAFSA closes June 30 and does not reopen until October 1. If you submit in July or August, it will not process. You must wait until October 1 to submit for the next academic year.

Does submitting early may provide I will get more aid?

Submitting early gives you access to more of the available aid pool, but it does not may provide a specific amount. Your aid package depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), your school's aid budget, and the types of aid you are may be able to access for. Early submission improves your chances, not your may provide.