FAFSA closes on June 30 each year, but most schools run out of money before that date
The federal FAFSA form itself stays open until June 30. However, the money behind it does not. Most colleges distribute their aid on a first-come, first-served basis starting in January, so submitting in March or April often means smaller grants and more loans. Some schools close their own FAFSA consideration windows in February or March, even though the federal deadline is still months away.
If you submit after your school's priority deadline — usually in February or early March — you may still receive aid, but it will likely be less generous. Federal loans are usually available year-round, but institutional grants and state aid often run out. The exact cutoff depends on your school, not on the federal government.
Missing June 30 means you cannot submit a FAFSA for that academic year at all. You would have to wait until October 1 to file for the following year. If you are already enrolled and have not filed, contact your school's financial aid office immediately — they can tell you whether aid is still available and what your options are.
Key Takeaways
- The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, but most schools distribute aid starting in January and run out of money by March.
- Your school may have its own earlier deadline, usually in February or early March, that is separate from the federal June 30 date.
- Submitting after your school's priority deadline usually results in federal loans only, with grants and institutional aid already gone.
- If you miss June 30, you cannot file a FAFSA for that year; the next filing window opens October 1 for the following academic year.
- Contact your school's financial aid office as soon as possible if you have not filed — they know what money is still available and can explain your options.
Why schools have their own deadlines before June 30
Schools set priority deadlines to manage the volume of applications and distribute their own money fairly. A college's priority deadline is usually February 15 or March 1. Students who submit by that date get first access to the school's grants, scholarships, and state aid. After that date, the school may still process your FAFSA, but their institutional funds are often depleted.
This is not a federal rule — it is a school policy. Each college decides when to stop awarding its own money. Some schools will still award aid in April or May; others close in February. You need to check your specific school's website or call their financial aid office to learn their actual deadline.
Federal aid — Pell Grants and federal loans — technically remains available until June 30, but even these can be affected by school deadlines. If a school has already processed all its aid packages for the year, they may not process new FAFSA submissions at all, even if federal money is still available.
What you can still get if you file after the priority deadline
Federal Pell Grants are available to low-income students through June 30, regardless of when you file. The amount depends on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and your school's cost of attendance, not on how early you apply. If you are under the income limit, you will receive the same Pell amount whether you file in January or June.
Federal loans — Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans — are also available year-round through June 30. These are not limited by school deadlines the way grants are. However, your school must process your FAFSA and determine your aid package before you can borrow. If the school has stopped processing applications, you cannot access loans either.
Institutional grants and scholarships are almost always gone by April. State grants vary by state, but most also run out of money by spring. If you file after your school's priority deadline, plan on federal loans as your main source of aid.
What to do if you have not filed by March
Call your school's financial aid office and ask whether they are still processing FAFSA submissions. Give them your name and student ID. They will tell you whether their aid budget is exhausted and what you can still receive. Do not assume you are too late — some schools continue processing through May or June.
Submit your FAFSA immediately if the school says they are still accepting it. Even if institutional aid is gone, federal Pell Grants and loans may still be available. The FAFSA takes about 3 to 5 days to process once you submit it, so you will know quickly whether aid comes through.
If your school has stopped processing, ask about alternative funding: emergency loans, payment plans, or private student loans. Some schools have small emergency funds for students who file late. Your financial aid office can also tell you whether you can defer enrollment to the next year and file during the October 1 to June 30 window instead.
If you miss June 30 entirely
You cannot file a FAFSA for the current academic year after June 30. The form closes and will not reopen until October 1 for the next year. If you are already enrolled and have not filed, you will need to pay out of pocket for the rest of the current term, or explore emergency loans and payment plans with your school.
If you have not yet enrolled and missed the June 30 deadline, you have two options: defer your enrollment to the following academic year and file during the October 1 window, or pay for the current term without federal aid. Some students choose to attend community college for a semester while waiting for the next FAFSA window to open.
Contact your school's admissions office if you are considering deferring. They can hold your acceptance and explain what happens to your deposit. Financial aid offices can also discuss whether any emergency funding is available for the current term.
How to find your school's specific deadline
Search "[Your School Name] FAFSA deadline" or "[Your School Name] financial aid priority deadline." Most schools list this on their financial aid website under "Deadlines" or "Important Dates." You can also call the financial aid office directly — they answer this question dozens of times a day and can give you the exact date in one call.
Write down both the federal deadline (June 30) and your school's deadline. Set a phone reminder for two weeks before your school's deadline so you have time to gather documents and submit. If you are unsure whether you have filed, log into your FAFSA account at studentaid.gov and check your submission status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a FAFSA after June 30 for the same academic year?
No. The FAFSA closes on June 30 and does not reopen until October 1 for the following academic year. If you miss June 30, you cannot file a FAFSA for that year. You would need to wait until October 1 to file for the next year, or pay for the current term without federal aid.
If I file in May, will I still get a Pell Grant?
You will receive a Pell Grant if you meet the income requirements, regardless of filing date. However, your school may have already distributed all its institutional aid by May, so you may not receive grants from the school itself. Federal Pell is separate and available through June 30.
What if my school's deadline has already passed?
Call your school's financial aid office and ask if they are still processing FAFSA submissions. Many schools continue past their priority deadline, especially if you call and explain your situation. Even if institutional aid is gone, federal loans and Pell Grants may still be available.
Do I have to file by my school's priority deadline to get any aid at all?
No. You can file after the priority deadline and still receive federal Pell Grants and federal loans through June 30. However, your school's own grants and scholarships are usually gone by then. Filing by the priority deadline gives you access to all types of aid.
What happens if I file a FAFSA in July?
The FAFSA form will not accept submissions in July. The system closes on June 30 and reopens on October 1. If you submit in July, you will receive an error message. You would need to wait until October 1 to file for the next academic year.