The 2024-25 FAFSA closes on June 30, 2025

The federal deadline to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024-25 school year is June 30, 2025. This is the date by which your completed form must reach the Department of Education. However, individual colleges and universities often set their own earlier deadlines — sometimes as early as November or December of the prior year — and financial aid is often distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning students who submit earlier may receive more aid.

Missing the federal deadline does not automatically disqualify you from federal aid, but it does mean you cannot receive certain types of aid for that school year. Some states and schools may still process your form after June 30, but you should treat that date as a hard stop for federal purposes.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal FAFSA deadline for 2024-25 is June 30, 2025, but your school's deadline may be months earlier.
  • Submitting before your school's deadline increases the chance you will receive the full amount of aid available to you.
  • If you miss June 30, you lose access to federal grants and loans for that school year, though some state aid may still be available.
  • Check your school's financial aid website or contact their office directly to find out their specific deadline, not just the federal one.

Why your school's deadline matters more than the federal one

Colleges distribute financial aid from a limited pool. Even though the federal government accepts FAFSA forms through June 30, most schools run out of grant money long before that date. A school's priority deadline — the date they want your form submitted — is usually in January, February, or March. Submit after that, and you may still get federal loans, but institutional grants and scholarships often disappear.

Some schools have rolling admissions and rolling financial aid, meaning they process forms as they arrive and award aid in order. Others have a single priority date and then a secondary deadline. Either way, the school's deadline is the one that affects how much money you actually receive. The June 30 federal deadline is a safety net, not a target date.

What happens if you miss the June 30 deadline

If your FAFSA is not submitted by June 30, 2025, you cannot receive federal Pell Grants, federal student loans, or federal work-study for the 2024-25 school year. You also lose access to most state grants. Some schools may still offer institutional aid from their own funds, but this is not may provide and varies widely by institution.

If you miss the deadline because of a documented emergency — a death in the family, a natural disaster, or a serious illness — contact your school's financial aid office immediately. They have some discretion to process late forms in hardship situations, though this is not automatic. The sooner you reach out, the better your chances.

How to find your school's specific deadline

Do not assume your school uses the June 30 federal deadline. Log into your school's financial aid website, usually found under "Admissions" or "Student Services," and look for the financial aid deadline or priority deadline. If you cannot find it online, call the financial aid office directly — they can tell you the exact date in one conversation.

If you are still deciding between schools, ask each one for their FAFSA deadline before you commit. Some schools have deadlines in November; others do not close until April or May. Knowing this ahead of time helps you plan when to submit.

Submitting after your school's deadline but before June 30

If you submit after your school's priority deadline but before June 30, you will still receive federal aid — Pell Grants (if you are may be able to access) and federal loans. However, you may not receive institutional grants or scholarships that the school awards only to students who meet the priority deadline. You will also be lower in the queue for any remaining aid the school has left to distribute.

This is still better than missing June 30 entirely. If you are going to be late, submit as soon as you can and then contact your school's financial aid office to explain the delay and ask what aid is still available.

State deadlines and special circumstances

Some states have their own financial aid deadlines that fall before June 30. For example, a state may require FAFSA submission by a certain date to be considered for state grants. Check your state's higher education agency website or your school's financial aid page to see if your state has an earlier deadline than the federal one.

If you are a dependent student, your parents' tax information may not be ready by your school's deadline. The FAFSA allows you to use estimated tax figures and update them later with actual numbers. Do not wait for taxes to be filed — submit with estimates and correct it afterward if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit FAFSA after June 30, 2025?

You can submit a FAFSA form after June 30, but you will not receive federal Pell Grants or federal loans for the 2024-25 school year. Some schools may still offer their own institutional aid, but this is not may provide. Contact your school's financial aid office to ask what options remain.

What if my school's deadline has already passed?

Submit your FAFSA immediately, even if the deadline has passed. You will still be considered for federal aid and possibly some institutional aid, though you may not receive the full amount. Call your school's financial aid office and explain your situation — they can tell you what is still available.

Do I need to resubmit FAFSA every year?

Yes. You must submit a new FAFSA for each school year you attend. The 2024-25 form is only for that school year. For 2025-26, you will submit a new form with a different deadline. Mark your calendar or set a reminder for your school's deadline each year.

What if I am applying to multiple schools with different deadlines?

Submit your FAFSA by the earliest deadline among all your schools. Once your FAFSA is processed, you can send the results to multiple schools at once. This ensures you meet every school's deadline and maximize your chances of receiving aid from each one.

Can I update my FAFSA after I submit it?

Yes. You can make corrections or updates to your FAFSA at any time before June 30, 2025. If your tax information changes or you made an error, log back in and update it. Notify your school's financial aid office if you make significant changes so they can recalculate your aid.