The federal FAFSA deadline for 2024–25 is June 30, 2025

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024–25 school year must be submitted by June 30, 2025, to be considered for federal aid. However, this is the absolute final date — not the date you should aim for. Most schools and states have their own earlier deadlines, and submitting before those dates significantly increases your chances of receiving aid.

The form opened on October 1, 2024, and you can submit it anytime between then and June 30, 2025. The earlier you submit, the more aid may be available to you, because many schools and states distribute money on a first-come, first-served basis.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal deadline is June 30, 2025, but your school or state may have an earlier deadline that affects how much aid you receive.
  • Submitting before your school's priority deadline — usually in February or March — gives you access to more aid funds.
  • You need a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), a state ID or driver's license, and tax information to complete the form.
  • If you miss your school's priority deadline, you can still submit the FAFSA by June 30, 2025, but some aid may no longer be available.
  • Your school's financial aid office can tell you the exact deadline that matters for your situation.

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

Schools set their own priority deadlines — the date by which they want to receive your FAFSA so they can award aid from their own funds. These deadlines are typically in February, March, or early April. If you submit after your school's priority deadline, you may still receive federal aid, but institutional aid (money the school itself offers) may run out.

Some schools also use FAFSA information to make merit-based scholarship decisions. Submitting early can affect whether you are considered for those awards. Contact your school's financial aid office or check their website for the exact priority deadline — it varies by institution.

State deadlines you should know about

Many states have their own FAFSA deadlines for state-funded aid programs. These deadlines vary widely. For example, some states have deadlines in March, while others extend to May or June. If you are receiving in-state aid or attending school in a different state than where you live, you may need to meet multiple deadlines.

Check your state's higher education agency website or your school's financial aid office to learn about your state has a deadline earlier than June 30, 2025. State aid often runs out faster than federal aid, so meeting the state deadline is important if you want to be considered.

What you need before you start the FAFSA

Gather these documents before you begin: your Social Security number or ITIN, a state ID or driver's license, and your tax information. If you filed taxes, you will need your 2023 tax return or access to your IRS tax transcript. If you did not file taxes, you will need to report your income from W-2s or other income documents.

If your parents claim you as a dependent, you will also need their Social Security numbers and tax information. The FAFSA form itself walks you through what information is required based on your situation. Having these documents ready before you start will make the process faster.

What happens if you miss the June 30 deadline

If you submit the FAFSA after June 30, 2025, you will not be considered for federal aid for the 2024–25 school year. Some schools may still process your form for the 2025–26 year, but you will have lost aid for the current year. If you are close to the deadline and have not yet submitted, contact your school's financial aid office immediately — they may be able to tell you whether a late submission is still possible.

If you are already enrolled and realize you missed the deadline, ask your financial aid office about alternative funding options, such as loans or institutional aid that may not require a FAFSA submission.

How to find your school's specific deadline

Your school's financial aid office website usually lists the priority deadline prominently. You can also call the office directly or email them with your question. When you contact them, ask for both the priority deadline and the absolute final deadline your school will accept — some schools accept FAFSA submissions after their priority date but before June 30.

If you are applying to multiple schools, each one may have a different deadline. Create a list of all your schools and their deadlines so you do not miss any. Your school's financial aid office can also tell you whether submitting by a certain date affects merit scholarships or other institutional aid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit the FAFSA after June 30, 2025?

No. June 30, 2025, is the federal deadline, and the FAFSA will not be accepted after that date for the 2024–25 school year. If you miss this deadline, you will need to submit a FAFSA for the 2025–26 school year instead. Contact your school's financial aid office immediately if you are close to the deadline.

What is the difference between the federal deadline and my school's deadline?

The federal deadline (June 30, 2025) is the last day you can submit and be considered for any federal aid. Your school's priority deadline is earlier and affects how much institutional aid you receive. Missing your school's deadline does not disqualify you from federal aid, but it may reduce the total aid package your school offers.

Do I need to submit the FAFSA by my school's priority deadline to enroll?

No. You can enroll without submitting the FAFSA, but you will not receive federal aid for that year. If you plan to use financial aid to pay for school, submitting before your school's priority deadline gives you the most aid options. Contact your school's admissions office if you have questions about enrollment and financial aid timing.

What if I am a dependent student and my parents have not filed taxes yet?

You can submit the FAFSA using estimated income information and update it later with actual tax figures. The FAFSA form allows you to use estimates, and you can correct the information after your parents file. Your school's financial aid office can tell you how to submit corrections.

Can I submit the FAFSA for multiple schools at once?

Yes. When you submit the FAFSA, you list up to 10 schools to receive your information. You can add or remove schools after you submit. Each school receives your FAFSA data and uses it to calculate your aid package based on their own deadline and policies.