The FAFSA opens October 1 each year, and the federal deadline is June 30 of the following year

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available to fill out on October 1 each year. You can submit it anytime between October 1 and June 30 of the next calendar year. The June 30 date is the federal deadline — after that date, the U.S. Department of Education stops accepting new FAFSA submissions for that academic year.

However, your state and your school may have earlier deadlines. Many states prioritize FAFSA submissions that arrive by March 1 or April 1, and some schools have their own cutoff dates for awarding institutional aid. If you submit after your school's deadline, you may still receive federal aid, but you could lose state grants or school-specific scholarships. Checking your school's financial aid website for their specific deadline is essential.

The academic year that the FAFSA covers runs from July 1 to June 30. So when you submit a FAFSA in October 2024, you are applying for aid for the 2024–2025 academic year (July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025).

Key Takeaways

  • The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, but your state or school may have an earlier deadline that affects whether you receive grants or scholarships.
  • FAFSA opens October 1 each year, so you can submit starting then — the earlier you submit, the better your chances of receiving state and institutional aid.
  • Submitting by March 1 or April 1 is often when states prioritize aid distribution, so missing that window may reduce your total aid package even if you meet the June 30 federal deadline.
  • You must resubmit a new FAFSA each year you want aid; submitting one year does not cover future years.

Why submitting early matters more than meeting the June 30 deadline

The June 30 federal deadline is a hard stop for the U.S. Department of Education, but it is not the deadline that affects most students' aid amounts. State grants and school scholarships often run out of money, and schools distribute them on a first-come, first-served basis starting in the spring. If you submit your FAFSA in May or June, federal aid may still reach you, but state and school funds may already be gone.

Many states set a priority deadline between February 15 and April 1. Submitting by that date does not may provide you will receive state aid, but it puts you in the pool before funds deplete. After the priority deadline passes, some states continue to award aid if money remains, but others stop accepting FAFSA submissions for that year entirely.

Your school's financial aid office can tell you the exact dates that matter for your institution. Call or visit their website and ask: "What is the priority deadline for state and institutional aid?" and "What happens if I submit after that date?" The answer will tell you whether waiting until May is safe or whether you risk losing money.

What happens if you submit after June 30

If you submit a FAFSA after June 30, the federal government will not process it for that academic year. You will have to wait until October 1 of the next year to submit a FAFSA for the following academic year. This means if you miss the June 30 deadline for the 2024–2025 school year, you cannot receive federal aid for that year — you can only apply for the 2025–2026 year starting in October 2025.

If you are already enrolled in school and realize you missed the deadline, contact your school's financial aid office immediately. Some schools have emergency funds or can connect you with other resources. You may also be able to take out private loans or work with your school on a payment plan while you wait to submit a FAFSA for the next year. Do not assume you have no options — the financial aid office exists to help you find them.

How to know your school's specific deadline

Your school's financial aid office publishes its deadline on the financial aid section of the college or university website. Look for a page titled "Financial Aid Deadlines," "FAFSA Deadlines," or "How to Apply for Aid." If you cannot find it, call the financial aid office directly — they can tell you the date in one conversation.

When you call or email, ask for three pieces of information: the priority deadline for state aid, the priority deadline for school aid, and the absolute last date they will accept a FAFSA for that academic year. Write these dates down and set phone reminders for two weeks before each one. If you are a dependent student, make sure a parent or guardian also knows these dates.

Resubmitting FAFSA each year

You must submit a new FAFSA every year you want aid. Submitting one year does not carry over to the next year. If you submitted a FAFSA for the 2024–2025 school year, you will need to submit again in October 2025 for the 2025–2026 year.

The FAFSA form asks for the same basic information each year — your income, family size, assets, and school enrollment status. If your circumstances have not changed much, the form takes 15 to 30 minutes to complete. You can start a new FAFSA as soon as October 1 rolls around; you do not have to wait until your school sends you a reminder.

What to do if you are unsure about your deadline

If you are not sure whether you have missed a deadline or what your school's deadline is, contact your school's financial aid office before assuming anything. Financial aid staff can see whether a FAFSA has been submitted under your name, whether it has been processed, and what your school's current deadline is. They can also tell you if you are still within the window to receive aid.

If you are a high school student, your school counselor can also help you find this information. If you are an adult returning to school, the admissions office or student services office can direct you to financial aid. Do not wait — the sooner you know the deadline, the sooner you can act.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit a FAFSA after June 30 if I did not know about the deadline?

No. The federal government does not accept FAFSA submissions after June 30 for that academic year, regardless of the reason. You will have to wait until October 1 to submit for the next academic year. Contact your school's financial aid office immediately to discuss other funding options for the current year.

If I submit my FAFSA in December, will I still get aid?

You will likely receive federal aid, but you may miss your state's and school's priority deadlines. Most states and schools prioritize aid distribution in February through April. Submitting in December puts you behind students who submitted in October or November, so you may receive less aid overall even though you are still within the federal deadline.

Do I have to submit a new FAFSA if I am staying at the same school?

Yes. You must submit a new FAFSA every year, even if you are continuing at the same school and your situation has not changed. The form covers only one academic year at a time. Submitting a FAFSA for 2024–2025 does not cover 2025–2026.

What if my school's deadline has already passed?

Contact your school's financial aid office and explain your situation. Some schools will still process a late FAFSA if you are already enrolled or have a documented reason for the delay. Even if you have missed the priority deadline, you may still receive some federal aid or be directed to other funding sources.

Can I submit a FAFSA before October 1?

No. The FAFSA system does not open until October 1 each year. You cannot submit before that date. However, you can prepare by gathering documents like your tax return and Social Security number so you are ready to submit as soon as October 1 arrives.