The FAFSA deadline for 2025-26 is June 30, 2025
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-26 school year must be submitted by June 30, 2025, to be considered for federal aid that academic year. This is the federal deadline set by the U.S. Department of Education. However, your state and your school may have earlier deadlines, and missing those earlier dates can cost you money even if you submit before June 30.
The FAFSA opened on October 1, 2024. Schools begin reviewing applications as soon as they arrive, and many distribute aid on a first-come, first-served basis. Submitting early — ideally by March or April — puts you ahead of other students competing for the same pool of grant money at your school.
If you miss June 30, you lose access to federal student loans, federal grants, and work-study for that year. Some schools may still process your application after the deadline if you enroll, but you will not receive federal aid retroactively.
Key Takeaways
- The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2025, but your state or school may have an earlier deadline that affects how much aid you receive.
- Schools award aid on a rolling basis, so submitting in March or April usually results in a larger aid package than submitting in May or June.
- Missing June 30 means you cannot receive federal loans, Pell Grants, or work-study for the 2025-26 school year.
- You must submit a new FAFSA every year you want federal aid, even if you submitted one the previous year.
State and school deadlines often come before June 30
Many states and individual colleges set their own FAFSA deadlines earlier than the federal June 30 date. These are called priority deadlines, and missing them can reduce the amount of aid your school has left to give you.
For example, some states prioritize aid to students who submit by March 1 or April 1. If you submit in May, you may still receive federal aid, but your school's grant money — which is limited — may already be allocated to earlier applicants. State grant programs often have their own cutoff dates as well.
Check your school's financial aid website or call their financial aid office to find out their specific deadline. Many schools list it under "FAFSA priority deadline" or "financial aid deadline." Your state's higher education agency website will also list state-specific deadlines.
Why submitting early matters for your aid package
Schools receive a set amount of grant money each year — money you do not have to repay. Once that money is gone, it is gone. Students who submit the FAFSA early are more likely to receive a larger portion of grants because the school still has funds available.
Students who submit late may receive the same amount in federal loans (which you do repay), but less in grants. Over four years, this difference can add up to thousands of dollars. A student who submits in March might receive $5,000 in grants and $7,000 in loans, while a student who submits in June might receive $2,000 in grants and $10,000 in loans — same total aid, but more debt.
This is why financial aid offices recommend submitting as soon as the FAFSA opens on October 1, not waiting until spring or early summer.
What happens if you miss the June 30 deadline
If you submit the FAFSA after June 30, 2025, you will not receive federal aid for the 2025-26 school year. This includes Federal Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Federal PLUS Loans, and Federal Work-Study. You will also not be considered for most state grants or school-based aid tied to FAFSA submission.
Some schools may still process your FAFSA if you enroll after the deadline, but you will not receive aid for that year. You would need to submit a new FAFSA for the 2026-27 school year to receive aid in the following year.
If you are close to the deadline and worried about missing it, submit what you have. You can update your FAFSA after submission if you need to correct information or add documents. Do not wait for perfect information — a submitted FAFSA with corrections beats a missed deadline.
How to find your school's specific deadline
Your school's financial aid office is the source of truth for your deadline. You can find it by:
- Visiting your school's financial aid website and searching for "FAFSA deadline" or "priority deadline"
- Calling the financial aid office directly — they can tell you the exact date and what happens if you miss it
- Checking your state's higher education agency website, which lists state grant deadlines
- Logging into your FAFSA account at studentaid.gov, which may display your school's deadline
If you are applying to multiple schools, each school may have a different deadline. Write them all down and set phone reminders for two weeks before each one.
Resubmitting the FAFSA each year
The FAFSA deadline applies every year you are in school. If you received aid for 2024-25, you must submit a new FAFSA for 2025-26 to continue receiving aid. The deadline for each year is June 30 of that year.
Many students assume their FAFSA carries over, but it does not. Schools need updated information about your family's income and circumstances each year because your financial situation may have changed. If you do not submit, you will not receive aid, even if you received it the previous year.
Set a calendar reminder for October 1 each year so you remember to submit as soon as the FAFSA opens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit the FAFSA after June 30 if I am enrolling late?
You can submit after June 30, but you will not receive federal aid for that year. Some schools may still process your application for their records, but federal loans and grants are not available after the deadline. You would be may be able to access for aid starting the next academic year if you submit by the following June 30.
What if my school's deadline is before June 30?
Submit by your school's deadline, not the federal deadline. Your school's deadline determines when you are considered for school-based aid and state grants. The federal June 30 deadline is a backstop — missing your school's earlier deadline usually means less aid, even if you submit before June 30.
Do I need to resubmit the FAFSA every year?
Yes. You must submit a new FAFSA every academic year you want aid. The form does not carry over from year to year. Schools need updated financial information, and federal aid is awarded year by year, not for your entire enrollment.
What documents do I need to submit the FAFSA by the deadline?
You need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and your tax information (or your parents' if you are a dependent). You do not need to wait for official tax documents — you can use estimates and update later. Having these items ready before October 1 helps you submit quickly.
What if I miss my school's deadline but submit before June 30?
You will still receive federal aid, but you may receive less school-based grant money because your school has already distributed most of it to earlier applicants. You will likely receive more in loans instead. Contact your school's financial aid office to understand how late submission affects your specific aid package.