FAFSA opened October 1, 2024, for the 2024–25 school year

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2024–25 became available on October 1, 2024. This is the standard opening date each year. You can submit your FAFSA anytime from October 1 through the end of the school year (typically June 30), though submitting earlier is better because some aid runs out as the year goes on.

The 2024–25 FAFSA was delayed compared to previous years. In 2023, the Department of Education pushed the opening from January to October because of major changes to the form itself. For 2024–25, the October 1 date returned to normal. Future years will also open on October 1 unless the Department of Education announces otherwise.

Key Takeaways

  • FAFSA for 2024–25 opened October 1, 2024, and will remain open through June 30, 2025.
  • Submitting early matters because federal and state aid funds have limits, and some colleges award aid on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • You can submit FAFSA on fafsa.gov using your FSA ID (Federal Student Aid ID), which you create before you start.
  • Each school year has its own FAFSA; submitting one for 2023–24 does not count toward 2024–25.
  • State and college deadlines for FAFSA vary and may be earlier than June 30, so check with your school and state.

Why the October 1 opening matters for your timeline

October 1 is when federal aid money becomes available to distribute. Colleges begin reviewing FAFSA forms and awarding aid as soon as they receive them. If you submit in October or November, your school can often tell you your aid package by December or January. If you wait until April or May, your school may have already distributed much of its aid budget to earlier applicants.

Some colleges use a rolling admissions process for aid, meaning they award money in the order they receive completed FAFSAs. Others have their own priority deadlines — often in February or March — after which they may have less aid left to give. Your school's financial aid office can tell you its specific deadline and process.

State and college deadlines you need to know

While federal FAFSA closes June 30, 2025, many states and colleges have earlier deadlines. Some states require FAFSA submission by February or March to receive state grant money. Some colleges have priority deadlines in January or February for their own institutional aid. Missing these earlier deadlines does not prevent you from submitting FAFSA, but it may reduce the aid you receive.

Check your state's higher education agency website and contact the financial aid office at each college you are considering. They will tell you their specific deadline and what happens if you submit after it. Many schools list this information on their financial aid pages or in their admissions materials.

How to submit FAFSA for 2024–25

Go to fafsa.gov and create or sign in with your FSA ID. Your FSA ID is a username and password you create before you start the FAFSA itself — it is not the same as a college login. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's license number (if you have one) to create an FSA ID.

Once you are signed in, you will fill out the FAFSA form online. The form asks about your income, assets, family size, and other information the Department of Education uses to calculate how much federal aid you may receive. You can save your progress and come back later. Most people finish in 20 to 30 minutes, though it depends on how organized your financial records are.

After you submit, fafsa.gov will give you a confirmation number. Write it down. You will use it to check your status and to give to your schools. The Department of Education sends your FAFSA information to each college you list on the form.

What happens after you submit

Within a few days to a few weeks, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) by email. The SAR shows the information you submitted and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — now called the Student Aid Index (SAI). This number tells colleges how much your family is expected to contribute toward your education. Colleges use this to calculate your aid package.

Each college you listed will receive your FAFSA information and use it to create a financial aid offer. This offer typically arrives by mail or email within a few weeks to a few months, depending on the school. Some schools are faster than others. You do not have to accept the first offer — you can compare offers from multiple schools before deciding.

If you missed October 1 or are applying late

You can still submit FAFSA anytime through June 30, 2025. Submitting late does not disqualify you from federal aid, but it may reduce the amount you receive because some aid is distributed first-come, first-served. Your school's financial aid office can tell you whether aid is still available and what your options are.

If you are applying for a school year that is already underway (for example, submitting in spring 2025 for fall 2025), you can still submit FAFSA for that year. Contact your school's financial aid office to ask what aid may still be available and whether there are any special steps you need to take.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to submit a new FAFSA for 2024–25 if I already submitted one for 2023–24?

Yes. Each school year requires its own FAFSA. Submitting FAFSA for 2023–24 does not count toward 2024–25. You must create a new FAFSA form on fafsa.gov for the 2024–25 school year. You can use the same FSA ID login you created before.

What if I submit FAFSA after my college's priority deadline?

You can still submit, but your college may have less aid available. Contact your school's financial aid office before the deadline to ask what happens if you submit late. Some schools will still award aid on a rolling basis; others may have a hard cutoff. Knowing your school's policy helps you decide whether to rush your submission.

Can I submit FAFSA if I am not a U.S. citizen?

It depends on your immigration status. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain other may be able to access non-citizens can submit FAFSA. Undocumented students and some visa holders cannot. Check fafsa.gov or contact your school's financial aid office to confirm whether you can submit based on your status.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You will need a Social Security number to create an FSA ID and submit FAFSA. If you do not have one, contact the Social Security Administration to request one. This process can take several weeks, so start early if you need a new number.

Can I change my FAFSA after I submit it?

Yes. You can log back into fafsa.gov anytime before June 30, 2025, and make changes to your submitted FAFSA. After you update it, submit the changes again. Your school will receive the updated information. If your income or family situation changes during the year, contact your school's financial aid office — they may be able to adjust your aid based on the change.