FAFSA opens October 1 and closes June 30 each year

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available on October 1 and stays open until June 30 the following year. This means you have nine months to submit your form. The exact opening date is October 1, and the exact closing date is June 30 — these do not shift based on weekends or holidays.

You can submit your FAFSA anytime during this window. There is no penalty for submitting early or late within the open period. However, submitting earlier rather than later matters for one reason: schools process aid in the order they receive completed forms, and some funds run out before June 30.

Key Takeaways

  • FAFSA opens October 1 and closes June 30 each year, giving you a nine-month window to submit.
  • Schools award aid on a first-come, first-served basis for some funds, so submitting in October or November gives you better access to available money than waiting until spring.
  • If you miss the June 30 deadline, you cannot submit a FAFSA for that school year — you must wait until October 1 of the next year.
  • Your state may have an earlier deadline than June 30 for state-specific aid, so check your state's higher education agency website.
  • Schools have their own priority deadlines (often in February or March) that affect how much aid they can offer, even though the federal deadline is June 30.

Why submitting early matters more than you might think

The federal government does not run out of money for federal aid — every student who meets the requirements receives their federal grant or loan. But schools themselves have limited funds to distribute, and they award those funds in the order they receive completed FAFSA forms. If you submit in October, your school sees your form first. If you submit in May, hundreds of other students have already been processed.

This affects institutional aid — money the school itself gives out, not federal money. Many schools have a limited pool of scholarships and grants. Once that pool is empty, later applicants do not receive those awards, even if they would have may have access to. Submitting your FAFSA by November gives you the best chance at these school-specific funds.

Your state may have an earlier deadline than June 30

While the federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, many states have their own earlier deadlines for state grant programs. For example, some states close their state aid applications in March or April. If you miss your state's deadline, you lose access to state money for that year, even though the federal deadline has not passed.

Check your state's higher education agency or financial aid website to find your state's specific deadline. You can search "[your state] higher education agency" or "[your state] student financial aid" to find the right office. They will list both the state deadline and any priority dates that affect how much aid you receive.

Schools set their own priority deadlines within the federal window

Each school you apply to may have a priority deadline earlier than June 30. A priority deadline is not a hard cutoff — you can still submit after it — but schools use it to determine how much aid they can offer. If you submit before the priority deadline, the school considers you for all available aid. If you submit after, the school may have already distributed some of its funds.

Priority deadlines are often in February, March, or April. Check the financial aid page of each school you are considering. The deadline will be listed clearly, usually labeled "FAFSA priority deadline" or "financial aid priority deadline." Submit by that date if you want the school to consider you for the maximum aid package.

What happens if you miss June 30

If you do not submit your FAFSA by June 30, you cannot submit one for that school year. You must wait until October 1 of the next year to submit a new FAFSA. This means you lose access to all federal aid, state aid, and school aid for the year you missed.

If you are close to the June 30 deadline and have not submitted yet, submit what you have. You can update your FAFSA after you submit it if you need to correct information or add schools. Do not wait for perfect information — submit by June 30 and make corrections later.

How to track the FAFSA calendar

The FAFSA opens and closes on the same dates every year: October 1 and June 30. You can mark these dates on your calendar now. If you have a student who will need financial aid in future years, note that the FAFSA for the 2025–2026 school year opens October 1, 2024, and closes June 30, 2025.

Set a reminder for early October to submit your FAFSA. If you are a parent or student planning ahead, aim to submit by November to give yourself the best chance at school-specific aid. If you are already past November, submit as soon as you can — the federal deadline is still June 30, and submitting now is better than not submitting at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit my FAFSA before October 1?

No. The FAFSA system does not accept submissions before October 1. If you try to submit before that date, the system will not let you. You must wait until October 1 to begin your application.

What if I submit my FAFSA in June — will I still get aid?

You will receive federal aid if you meet the requirements, because the federal government does not run out of money. However, you may not receive school-specific grants or scholarships, because many schools have already distributed those funds to earlier applicants. Your aid package will likely be smaller than if you had submitted in October or November.

Do I need to submit a new FAFSA every year?

Yes. You must submit a new FAFSA for each school year you attend. The FAFSA for the 2025–2026 school year is different from the one for 2024–2025, even though the questions are similar. Submit a new form each October.

What if my school's priority deadline is before June 30?

Submit by your school's priority deadline to receive the full aid package the school can offer. If you submit after the priority deadline but before June 30, you will still receive federal aid, but the school may have fewer institutional funds left to award you.

Can I update my FAFSA after I submit it?

Yes. You can log back into your FAFSA account and make changes anytime before June 30. If your income changes, you get married, or you need to add a school, you can update your form. Schools will see the updated information.