When FAFSA opens and closes for 2024-25

The FAFSA for the 2024-25 school year opened on October 1, 2024. The federal deadline to submit is June 30, 2025, but that date matters less than you might think — most schools and states set their own earlier deadlines, and missing those can cost you money even if you submit the federal form on time.

The form itself stays open until June 30, but financial aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at most colleges. Schools award from their own funds first, and once those run out, you get only federal aid. Submitting in October or November puts you ahead of applicants who wait until spring.

If you are applying to college for fall 2025, you should submit by the earliest deadline your school or state has set. If you are already in college and renewing your FAFSA for the 2024-25 year (which started in fall 2024), you may have already missed your school's deadline — contact your financial aid office to ask whether you can still submit and what aid you might receive.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2025, but individual colleges and states have earlier deadlines that determine how much aid you receive.
  • Submitting in fall or early winter gives you access to more aid money than waiting until spring, because schools distribute their own funds first.
  • Your school's financial aid office publishes its own deadline on the admissions or financial aid page — this is the date that actually matters for your aid package.
  • If you are renewing FAFSA for the current 2024-25 school year, contact your financial aid office now to ask whether you can still submit.

State-specific FAFSA deadlines for 2024-25

Many states set their own FAFSA deadline earlier than the federal June 30 date. These deadlines determine whether you are considered for state grant money. If you miss your state deadline, you lose access to that funding even if you submit the federal form later.

Common state deadlines fall between March 1 and May 15, though some states have no state-specific deadline and follow the federal June 30 date. A few states — including California, New York, and Illinois — have deadlines as early as March 1 or March 2. Your state's higher education agency website lists the exact date for your state.

If you are unsure which state deadline applies to you, use the state where your parents live (if you are a dependent) or where you live (if you are independent). Some students are caught between states — for example, if you live in one state but attend school in another. In that case, check both state deadlines and submit by whichever comes first.

College-specific FAFSA deadlines

Individual colleges set their own FAFSA deadlines, separate from both the federal and state dates. These deadlines determine how much of the school's own financial aid money you can receive. Schools typically set deadlines between February 1 and May 1, though some have no deadline and award aid on a rolling basis.

Rolling basis means the school reviews FAFSA forms as they arrive and awards aid until the money runs out. If you submit early, you have a better chance of receiving aid. If you submit late, you may receive only federal loans and no grant money from the school itself.

Find your college's deadline on the financial aid page of its website, usually under "FAFSA deadline" or "financial aid timeline." If you cannot find it, call the financial aid office directly — they can tell you the exact date and what happens if you miss it. If you are applying to multiple schools, create a list of all their deadlines and submit to each school's FAFSA by that date.

What happens if you miss the deadline

Missing a deadline does not prevent you from submitting the FAFSA, but it limits the aid you receive. You can still submit the federal form until June 30 and receive federal student loans. However, you will lose access to grant money from your state and from your college.

Grants are money you do not have to repay. Loans must be paid back with interest. Missing a deadline means you may have to borrow more money to cover college costs instead of receiving free grant aid. The difference can be thousands of dollars over four years.

If you have already missed your school's deadline, contact the financial aid office and ask whether they will still consider your FAFSA. Some schools have a grace period or will review late submissions if you have a documented reason for the delay. It costs nothing to ask, and some aid is better than no aid.

Submitting FAFSA before you have all your documents

You do not need to wait until you have every document to submit the FAFSA. You can submit with estimates — your best guess at income, tax information, and other financial details — and update it later. Many students and parents do this in October or November, then correct the form in January or February once they have filed taxes.

Submitting early with estimates is better than waiting for perfect information, because you meet the deadline and get into the aid distribution queue. The school will ask you to verify your information later, usually by uploading tax documents or other proof. You can make corrections at any time before your school's deadline.

If you are using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool (which pulls your tax information directly from the IRS), you can only use it after you have filed your taxes. If you have not filed yet, enter your estimates and come back to update the form once your return is processed.

Renewing FAFSA if you are already in college

If you are already enrolled in college for the 2024-25 school year, you need to renew your FAFSA to continue receiving aid. The renewal form opened October 1, 2024, and your school's deadline has likely already passed. Contact your financial aid office immediately to ask whether you can still submit and what aid you might receive.

Some schools will accept late FAFSA submissions and award aid retroactively to the start of the semester. Others will not process a FAFSA submitted after their deadline. The only way to know is to ask your financial aid office directly — do not assume you have missed your chance.

If your school will not accept a late submission, ask what other funding options are available. Some schools have emergency loans or additional grants for students in financial hardship. Your financial aid office can point you toward these resources.

How to find your school's specific deadline

Your college's FAFSA deadline is published on its financial aid website. Look for a page titled "FAFSA Deadline," "Financial Aid Timeline," or "How to Apply for Financial Aid." The deadline should be listed clearly with the date and what happens if you miss it.

If you cannot find the deadline online, call the financial aid office during business hours. Have your student ID number ready, and ask three things: the FAFSA deadline for your school, whether the school accepts late submissions, and what aid you can receive if you submit after the deadline. Write down the answers and the name of the person who gave them to you.

If you are applying to college for the first time, check both your state's deadline and each school's deadline. Submit by whichever comes first. If you are already in college, check your school's deadline now — if it has passed, contact the financial aid office today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit FAFSA after June 30, 2025?

No, the federal FAFSA closes on June 30, 2025, and you cannot submit after that date. However, if you are already in college and missed the deadline, contact your financial aid office — some schools will process a late FAFSA and award aid retroactively.

What if I miss my state's deadline but submit before my school's deadline?

You will lose access to state grant money but may still receive aid from your college and federal loans. Contact your state's higher education agency to ask whether there is any way to recover state funding after missing the deadline.

Do I need to submit FAFSA every year?

Yes, you must submit a new FAFSA every school year to continue receiving aid. Each FAFSA covers one academic year only. For the 2025-26 school year, you will need to submit a new form when it opens in October 2025.

What if my college has no published FAFSA deadline?

Some schools award aid on a rolling basis, meaning they review forms as they arrive and award money until it runs out. Submit as early as possible — October or November — to maximize your chances of receiving aid. Call the financial aid office to confirm they have no hard deadline.

Can I update my FAFSA after I submit it?

Yes, you can make corrections and updates at any time before your school's deadline. Log back into your FAFSA account, make the changes, and resubmit. Your school will see the updated version. After your school's deadline, you can still update the form, but it may not affect your aid package for that year.