The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, but your state and school may have earlier cutoffs

The U.S. Department of Education sets a federal deadline of June 30 each year for submitting the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). However, that is not the only deadline that matters. Your state may have its own earlier deadline for state grant money, and your school almost certainly has a priority deadline before June 30 — sometimes as early as February or March. If you miss your school's priority date, you may still get federal aid, but you could lose state grants and institutional scholarships that run out of money as the year goes on.

The timing also depends on when you are applying. If you are applying for the 2024–2025 school year, the FAFSA opened October 1, 2023, and the federal deadline is June 30, 2025. Each year the form opens October 1 and closes June 30 of the following calendar year. Schools and states set their own earlier dates within that window.

Key Takeaways

  • The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, but your school's priority deadline is usually much earlier — often in February, March, or April.
  • Missing your school's priority deadline does not disqualify you from federal aid, but you may lose state grants and school-based scholarships that have limited funds.
  • Your state may have its own deadline for state grant programs, separate from both the federal deadline and your school's deadline.
  • Submitting the FAFSA after June 30 is not possible; if you miss that date, you cannot receive federal aid for that school year.
  • Contact your school's financial aid office to learn its specific priority deadline and what aid you may still receive if you submit after that date.

How school priority deadlines work

Most colleges and universities set a priority deadline that falls before June 30. This is the date by which they want to see your FAFSA submitted so they can award aid from their own funds and from state grants. Schools use priority deadlines to manage their aid budgets — they have a set amount of money to distribute, and they award it on a first-come, first-served basis once the priority date passes.

If you submit after the priority deadline, you are not automatically denied aid. You will still receive federal aid (Pell Grants, federal loans) as long as you submit before June 30. But you may miss out on institutional grants from the school itself and on state grant money. The school's financial aid office can tell you exactly what you lose by missing their priority date.

Priority deadlines vary widely. Some schools set them in February; others wait until April or May. A few set them after June 1. You must check with each school where you plan to study, because the deadline is different at every institution.

State grant deadlines and how they differ from federal deadlines

Many states run their own grant programs for residents, and these programs have their own deadlines — often earlier than June 30. For example, some states close their grant programs in March or April, even though the federal FAFSA deadline is still June 30. If you miss your state's deadline, you cannot receive that state grant money, even if you submit the FAFSA to the federal government on time.

State deadlines are not published in one central place. You must contact your state's higher education agency or visit your state's financial aid website to learn when its grants close. The National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs (NASSGAP) maintains a list of state agencies, but each state publishes its own deadline.

Some states also require you to submit additional forms beyond the FAFSA — for instance, a state-specific grant form or a residency verification. These forms often have their own deadlines. Check your state's website or call your state's grant office to confirm what you need to submit and when.

What happens if you submit after your school's priority deadline

Submitting after your school's priority deadline does not prevent you from receiving federal aid. You will still be considered for federal Pell Grants (if you meet income requirements) and federal student loans. However, the school's own grant money and state grant money are usually distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, so late submissions often receive little or nothing from those pools.

Some schools have a second or third deadline after the priority date, with smaller amounts of aid still available. Others process all late submissions together and award what remains. The only way to know what your school does is to ask the financial aid office directly. They can tell you whether any institutional aid is still available and what your total aid package would look like if you submit now versus later.

What happens if you miss June 30

If you do not submit the FAFSA by June 30, you cannot receive federal aid for that school year. There is no extension, no late submission period, and no exception process. The deadline is absolute for federal purposes. You would have to wait until October 1 of the next year to submit for the following school year.

If you are already enrolled in school when you realize you missed the deadline, contact your financial aid office immediately. They may be able to help you understand what aid you do have access to and what your options are for covering costs. Some schools have emergency funds or short-term loans for students in this situation, though these are not may provide.

How to find your school's specific deadline

Your school's financial aid office publishes its priority deadline on its website, usually under "Financial Aid" or "FAFSA Deadlines." You can also call the office directly — the phone number is on the school's website. Have your school's name and the school year you are asking about ready when you call.

If you are applying to multiple schools, each one may have a different deadline. Write them all down and set reminders for each. Missing one school's deadline does not affect your FAFSA submission to other schools, but it does mean you may receive less aid from that particular school.

Your state's deadline is found on your state's higher education agency website. Search "[your state] financial aid deadline" or "[your state] grant deadline" to find the right office. If you cannot find it online, call your state's Department of Education or Higher Education office and ask for the deadline for state grant programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit the FAFSA after June 30?

No. The federal deadline is June 30, and submissions after that date are not accepted. If you miss this deadline, you cannot receive federal aid for that school year and must wait until October 1 to submit for the next year.

If I submit after my school's priority deadline, will I still get any aid?

You will still receive federal aid (Pell Grants and federal loans) as long as you submit before June 30. However, you may receive little or no institutional grant money or state grant money, because those funds are often distributed first-come, first-served. Contact your school's financial aid office to learn what aid is still available.

Do all schools have the same priority deadline?

No. Every school sets its own priority deadline, and they vary widely — some are in February, others in April or May. You must check each school's website or call its financial aid office to learn the specific date.

What if my state's deadline is before my school's deadline?

Meet your state's deadline first. If you miss your state's deadline, you lose state grant money even if you submit to your school and the federal government on time. Check both deadlines and submit as early as possible to meet both.

What should I do if I think I missed a deadline?

Contact your school's financial aid office and your state's higher education agency right away. Tell them when you submitted the FAFSA and ask what aid you may still receive. Some schools have additional funding available after the priority deadline, and they can explain your options.