Fill out the FAFSA as soon as it opens on October 1st

The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year and stays open through June 30th of the following year. You should submit it as early as possible after October 1st — ideally within the first few weeks — because federal and state aid funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Schools that run out of money cannot create more, so submitting in October gives you the best chance at the full amount of aid you may be may have access to to.

Many students and families wait until spring or even summer to file. By then, some grant money — which you do not have to repay — may already be gone. Loans are usually available throughout the year, but grants are limited. The earlier you submit, the more aid options remain available to you.

Key Takeaways

  • The FAFSA opens October 1st and closes June 30th; submit within the first few weeks of October to access the most aid funds.
  • Federal and state grants are distributed first-come, first-served, so waiting until spring or summer may mean missing out on assistance programs.
  • Your school's financial aid office may have its own priority deadline — usually in February or March — after which some institutional aid runs out.
  • You will need your Social Security number, tax information from the previous year, and your parents' information if you are a dependent student.
  • Submitting early also gives you time to correct errors or provide additional documents before your school's deadline.

Check your school's priority deadline, which may be earlier than June 30th

While the federal FAFSA deadline is June 30th, individual colleges and universities set their own priority deadlines — usually in February or March. Schools use priority deadlines to decide how much of their own money (called institutional aid) to give each student. If you submit after your school's priority deadline, you may still receive federal aid, but the school's grants and scholarships may be depleted.

Contact your school's financial aid office or check their website to find the exact priority deadline. Some schools have multiple deadlines for different types of aid. Submitting by the priority deadline does not may provide you will receive institutional aid, but submitting after it significantly reduces your chances.

File by October 1st if you are a dependent student whose parents file taxes late

The FAFSA asks for tax information from the previous year. If your parents file their taxes in February or March, you can still submit the FAFSA in October using an estimate of their income. The form allows you to use projected figures and update them later once your parents' actual tax return is complete.

Do not wait for your parents' tax return to arrive before submitting. Submitting in October with estimated numbers, then correcting the information in November or December, is far better than waiting until March or April. You can make corrections through your FAFSA account at any time before June 30th.

Submit before your state's deadline if it is earlier than June 30th

Some states have their own FAFSA deadlines that fall before the federal June 30th deadline. For example, California's deadline is March 2nd for maximum Cal Grant funding, and New York's is May 1st for TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) grants. If you live in a state with an earlier deadline and want to be considered for state aid, you must submit by that date.

Check your state's higher education agency website to find the deadline for state grants. State aid is often limited, and missing the deadline means you lose access to it entirely for that year. This is separate from federal aid, so even if you miss your state deadline, you can still submit the FAFSA by June 30th to receive federal aid.

Resubmit the FAFSA each year by October 1st

The FAFSA is not a one-time form. You must submit it every year you are in school and want to be considered for aid. Each year's FAFSA opens October 1st and uses tax information from the previous calendar year. A student graduating in May 2025 must submit a new FAFSA in October 2024 (for the 2024–2025 school year) and again in October 2025 (for the 2025–2026 school year) if they continue their education.

Many schools send reminders about the FAFSA deadline, but it is your responsibility to submit on time. Set a calendar reminder for early October each year so you do not miss the window.

What you need before you sit down to fill it out

Gather these documents before you start the FAFSA. You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and driver's license number (if you have one). You will also need your tax information from the previous year — either your actual tax return or an estimate if your parents have not yet filed.

If you are a dependent student, you will need your parents' Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and their tax information as well. If your parents are divorced or separated, you will need information from the parent you live with most of the time. Have all of this ready before you start; the form takes 20 to 30 minutes if you have the documents in front of you, but much longer if you have to stop and search for information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I submit the FAFSA after my school's priority deadline?

You will still receive federal aid, but your school's own grants and scholarships may be gone. Contact your financial aid office to ask what funds remain available after the priority deadline passes. Some schools have multiple aid pools with different deadlines.

Can I submit the FAFSA before October 1st?

No. The FAFSA system does not open until October 1st each year. You cannot submit it earlier, even if you have all your documents ready. The form will not accept submissions before that date.

Do I need to submit the FAFSA if I am only taking out loans?

Yes. Even if you plan to borrow through federal student loans, you must submit the FAFSA first. Federal loans require a completed FAFSA, and submitting it also makes you aware of any grants or other aid you might receive instead of borrowing.

What if I miss the June 30th deadline?

You cannot submit the FAFSA after June 30th for that school year. However, you can submit for the next school year starting October 1st. Contact your school's financial aid office to discuss what options may be available for the current year if you missed the deadline.

Can I update my FAFSA after I submit it?

Yes. You can log back into your FAFSA account and make changes at any time before June 30th. If your parents' actual tax return differs from your estimate, or if your family situation changes, update the form as soon as possible so your aid calculation is accurate.