FAFSA opens October 1 each year, and you can submit from then through June 30 of the following year

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available to fill out on October 1 each year. You can submit your application anytime between October 1 and June 30 of the following year. However, the earlier you submit, the better your chances of receiving aid, because many schools and states distribute money on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are applying for the 2024–2025 school year, the application window opened October 1, 2023, and closes June 30, 2025. If you miss the June 30 deadline, you cannot submit a FAFSA for that academic year. Some schools have their own earlier deadlines for priority consideration, so check with your school directly about when they want to receive your FAFSA information.

Key Takeaways

  • FAFSA opens October 1 each year and closes June 30 the following year; submitting early increases your chances of receiving aid.
  • Your school may have a priority deadline before June 30, so contact your financial aid office to learn when they need your FAFSA submitted.
  • You can submit a FAFSA for the upcoming school year starting October 1 of the previous calendar year — for example, October 1, 2024, for the 2025–2026 school year.
  • If you submit after your school's priority deadline, you may still receive aid, but some funds may have already been distributed to other students.

Why submitting early matters

Schools award federal grants, work-study positions, and institutional aid using the information from your FAFSA. Once a school's budget for a particular type of aid runs out, no more students receive it that year. Students who submit their FAFSA in October or November are more likely to receive the full amount of aid they are may have access to to than students who submit in May or June.

State grants also operate on a first-come, first-served basis in many states. If you live in a state with a state grant program, submitting your FAFSA early can make the difference between receiving a grant and not receiving one. Your school's financial aid office can tell you whether your state uses a priority deadline or first-come, first-served distribution.

School-specific deadlines and priority dates

Even though the federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, most schools set their own priority deadline — usually in February or March. If you submit your FAFSA by your school's priority date, your financial aid package will be ready before you enroll. If you submit after the priority date, your school will still process your FAFSA, but you may receive less aid.

Some schools also require additional forms, such as the CSS Profile or state-specific financial aid forms, with deadlines that come before or after the FAFSA deadline. Contact your school's financial aid office or check their website to find out all the deadlines that apply to you. Do not assume that meeting the federal June 30 deadline is enough.

What happens if you miss the June 30 deadline

If you do not submit your FAFSA by June 30, you cannot receive federal student aid for that academic year. You will not be able to submit a FAFSA for the 2024–2025 school year after June 30, 2025, no matter your reason for missing the deadline. The deadline is firm and does not have exceptions.

If you miss the deadline, you can still submit a FAFSA for the next academic year starting October 1. For example, if you miss the June 30, 2025, deadline, you can submit a FAFSA for the 2025–2026 school year beginning October 1, 2025. In the meantime, ask your school about institutional aid or loans that do not require a FAFSA.

Submitting a FAFSA for the first time versus renewing

If you are submitting a FAFSA for the first time, you will need to create a Federal Student Aid account and provide information about yourself, your family's finances, and your school. This process takes longer than renewing an existing FAFSA. First-time applicants should plan to submit in October or November to avoid delays.

If you submitted a FAFSA in a previous year, you can renew your application starting October 1. Renewing is faster because the system pre-fills much of your information. You will still need to update your current income and family situation if anything has changed. Even if nothing has changed, you must submit a new FAFSA each year you want aid.

Submitting after you have already enrolled

You can submit a FAFSA even after you have started classes, as long as you submit before June 30 of that academic year. If you submit late in the semester, your school may not be able to disburse aid before the semester ends, but you may receive a refund or credit toward the next semester. Contact your financial aid office immediately if you have not yet submitted your FAFSA for the current year.

Some schools allow you to submit a FAFSA after June 30 if you are appealing a financial aid decision or if your circumstances have changed significantly. These are rare exceptions. Your school's financial aid office can tell you whether you may have access to for a late submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit a FAFSA before October 1?

No. The FAFSA system does not open until October 1 each year. If you try to access the form before that date, you will not be able to submit it. You can prepare by gathering documents like your Social Security number, tax returns, and school codes, but you cannot actually submit until October 1.

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

Submit your FAFSA by your school's priority deadline to receive the full amount of aid available. If you submit after the priority deadline but before June 30, your school will still process your FAFSA and you may receive aid, but some funds may have already been given to other students. Contact your financial aid office to learn your school's specific priority date.

Do I need to submit a FAFSA every year?

Yes. You must submit a new FAFSA each academic year you want federal aid. You can renew your FAFSA starting October 1, which is faster than submitting for the first time. If you do not submit a FAFSA for a particular year, you will not receive federal aid that year, even if you received aid in previous years.

What if I do not know which school to attend yet?

You can still submit a FAFSA without selecting a school. You will add your school's code later, or you can add multiple schools when you submit. Schools can see your FAFSA information once you add their code. You do not have to commit to a school to submit your FAFSA.