The FAFSA for 2024–2025 opened October 1, 2023, and most states have priority deadlines between February and March 2024
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2024–2025 school year became available on October 1, 2023. There is no single national deadline — instead, each state and many individual colleges set their own priority deadlines, usually in February or March. If you submit after a school's priority date, you may still receive aid, but you could miss out on grants and work-study positions that run out of funding.
The federal government does not have a hard cutoff date for the 2024–2025 FAFSA, but submitting by June 30, 2024, keeps you in line for federal aid. However, waiting that long means you will miss most state and college deadlines, which is why schools recommend submitting as early as possible after October 1.
Key Takeaways
- The FAFSA for 2024–2025 opened October 1, 2023, and you can submit it any time until June 30, 2024, to remain in the federal aid window.
- Most colleges and states have priority deadlines in February or March 2024, and submitting after these dates may reduce the aid you receive.
- You need your Social Security number, tax information, and driver's license or state ID to complete the form.
- Check your specific college's website or contact their financial aid office to learn their exact deadline and what documents they require.
Why state and college deadlines matter more than the federal deadline
Federal student loans and grants do not run out of money the way state grants do. A state's grant fund, however, is fixed — once it is distributed, students who applied late receive nothing, even if they were otherwise may be able to access. The same is true for many colleges' merit scholarships and work-study positions.
Submitting your FAFSA by your state's priority deadline — usually in February or early March — puts you in the first round of consideration. Submitting in April or May does not disqualify you, but you are competing for what remains. Some schools will still have aid available; others will not.
Your college's financial aid office can tell you their specific deadline and what happens if you miss it. Many schools post this information on their website under "Financial Aid" or "Cost and Aid."
What you need before you start
Gather these documents before you sit down to fill out the FAFSA:
- Your Social Security number
- Your driver's license or state ID (or passport)
- Your 2023 tax return or tax transcript (yours and your parents' if they claim you as a dependent)
- W-2 forms or other income records if you worked in 2023
- Bank and investment account statements if you have significant savings
You do not need to have filed your taxes yet to start the FAFSA. You can estimate your income and update it later using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which pulls your actual tax information directly into the form. This tool is available once the IRS has processed your return.
How to submit and what happens next
You submit the FAFSA at fafsa.gov, the official federal site. You will create a login, answer questions about your income and assets, and list the colleges where you want your information sent. The form takes 20 to 30 minutes if you have your documents ready.
After you submit, each college you listed receives your FAFSA information and uses it to calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) — the amount the government estimates you can pay. Schools then send you a financial aid letter showing loans, grants, and work-study they are offering based on that number.
Financial aid letters usually arrive between February and April, depending on when you submitted and how quickly the school processes applications. If you submitted by the priority deadline, you should hear back within a few weeks.
State-by-state priority deadlines for 2024
Most states cluster their priority deadlines in February and March. A few examples:
| State | Priority Deadline |
|---|---|
| California | March 2, 2024 |
| Florida | May 15, 2024 |
| Illinois | March 1, 2024 |
| New York | May 1, 2024 |
| Texas | March 15, 2024 |
Your state's higher education agency website lists the exact deadline for your state. Search "[your state] FAFSA deadline" or visit your state's education department site directly. If you attend school in a different state than where you live, check both — you may be may be able to access for grants from either.
What to do if you miss the priority deadline
Missing a priority deadline does not mean you lose all aid. You can still submit the FAFSA and receive federal loans and grants, though the amount may be smaller. Some schools will still have institutional aid available, and some states continue accepting applications past their priority date on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contact your college's financial aid office directly if you submit late. They can tell you what aid is still available and whether you can appeal for additional consideration. Some schools will adjust your aid package if you have a documented change in circumstances — a job loss, medical emergency, or other hardship — even after the deadline has passed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit the FAFSA after June 30, 2024?
You can submit after June 30, but you will not be in the federal aid window for the 2024–2025 school year. You would be applying for the 2025–2026 year instead. If you are starting school in fall 2024, submit by June 30, 2024, to receive aid for that year.
Do I have to submit the FAFSA every year?
Yes. The FAFSA is an annual form. If you are in school for four years, you submit it four times — once for each school year. Your financial situation may change, and schools need updated information to calculate your aid each year.
What if my parents won't give me their tax information?
If your parents refuse to provide their information and you are a dependent, you cannot complete the FAFSA without it. If you are independent — usually meaning you are over 24, married, a veteran, or have other may have access to circumstances — you can submit using only your own information. Contact your college's financial aid office to discuss your situation.
Does submitting the FAFSA may provide I will get aid?
Submitting the FAFSA does not may provide aid. Your may be able to access depends on your income, assets, and the school's available funding. Federal loans are available to most students, but grants and work-study are limited. Your financial aid letter will show what you are offered based on your circumstances.
What if I already submitted and want to make changes?
You can log back into fafsa.gov and edit your FAFSA at any time before the deadline. If you need to add or remove a college, update your income, or correct an error, make the change and resubmit. Schools will receive the updated version.