FAFSA Deadline
When is the FAFSA deadline? It depends. You should submit your FAFSA application as soon as possible each year. Most federal and state aid is limited and is awarded on a first come, first served basis.
Last updated on December 18, 2024 by College Financial Aid Advice.
FAFSA Deadline for Federal Financial Aid
FAFSA Deadlines by State
When are the FAFSA deadlines for federal financial aid for college students? It depends on which school year. Apply early as many programs run out of funds. You can always count on getting a federal student loan, but the amount is limited.
2025 – 2026 school year (July 1 2025 – June 30 2026) – FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2026. Apply as early as possible starting in late Novembeer 2024, when the new FAFSA application is available.
2024 – 2025 school year (July 1 2024 – June 30 2025) – FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2025. Apply as early as possible starting in December 2023, when the new streamlined application is available.
How to Complete FAFSA Application
The FAFSA application is key to receive not just federal financial aid, but also state aid and many college grants and scholarships. To receive the best financial aid package, be aware of at least FAFSA deadlines:
1. Federal aid deadline. The federal deadline qualifies you for federal aid, such as Pell Grants and federal student loans.
2. State aid deadline. These state FAFSA deadlines (shown in the table below) apply to the funding offered by your state.
3. Institution deadline. You will also need to check with each college or university for their FAFSA deadlines.
Which is most important? They all are. You may receive financial aid from all 3 sources, and each person's situation is unique. Apply early for your best chance to receive a great package of college scholarships, grants, and student loans.
2025 FAFSA Deadlines by State
To be eligible for state financial aid, you must submit your 2025 - 2026 FAFSA application for student aid by the due date below for your state. In addition, a state may require an additional application or information to be eligible for state aid. For example, in California, the popular Cal Grants program requires the FAFSA and a verified Cal Grant GPA be submitted by the FAFSA due date to be eligible for state grants.If your state or territory is not on this list, check with your financial aid office.
| State | Code | State Aid FAFSA Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | AL | Check with financial aid office |
| Alaska | AK | AK Alaska Performance Scholarship – June 30, 2025 for priority consideration. Awards made until funds are depleted. Alaska Education Grant - ASAP after October 1, 2024. |
| Arizona | AZ | For priority consideration, submit by April 1, 2025. Check with financial aid office |
| Arkansas | AR | Academic Challenge July 1 2025; ArFuture Grant fall term July 1 2025, spring term Jan 10 2026. |
| California | CA | Initial awards – March 3 20245 (also submit school-certified GPA), some community college Cal Grants awards – September 2 2025 (date postmarked). Noncitizens fill out California Dream Application. |
| Colorado | CO | Check with college financial aid office |
| Connecticut | CT | February 15 2025 |
| Delaware | DE | June 15 2025 due date (date received) |
| District of Columbia | DC | For priority consideration, submit the DC Tuition Assistance Grant by June 25, 2025 and DC OneApp deadline July 1, 2025 |
| Florida | FL | May 15 2025 (date processed) |
| Georgia | GA | Refer to Georgia Student Finance Commissions's website for info. Submit ASAP after October 1, 2024. |
| Hawaii | HI | Check with college financial aid office |
| Idaho | ID | Opportunity Scholarship March 1 2025 (date received) |
| Illinois | IL | Refer to Illinois Student Assistance Commissions's website for current deadlines, ASAP after October 1, 2024. |
| Indiana | IN | Frank O'Bannon Grant and 21st Century Scholarship: April 15, 2025. Adult Student Aid grants ASAP after December 2024. |
| Iowa | IA | July 1 2025 (date received); some priority deadlines earlier |
| Kansas | KS | April 1 2025 (date received) or earlier for priority consideration. |
| Kentucky | KY | As soon as possible after October 1, 2024. Awarded until funds depleted. |
| State | Code | State Aid FAFSA Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | LA | Feb 1 2025 highly recommended, accepted through July 1 2026 |
| Maine | ME | May 1 2025 (date received) |
| Maryland | MD | March 1 2025 (date received) |
| Massachusetts | MA | May 1 2025 (date received) for priority consideration |
| Michigan | MI | July 1, 2025 (date received) |
| Minnesota | MN | June 30, 2026 |
| Mississippi | MS | MTAG and MESG Grants: Oct 15 2025; HELP Grant: April 30 2025 (date received) |
| Missouri | MO | Priority by February 3 2025. Applications accepted through April 1 2025 (date received) |
| Montana | MT | Priority consideration by December 31, 2024. Check with the financial aid office. |
| Nebraska | NE | Check with college financial aid administrator |
| Nevada | NV | Nevada Promise Scholarship: May 1 2025. Silver State Opportunity Grant: ASAP after October 1, 2024. All other aid check with college financial aid office |
| New Hampshire | NH | Check with college financial aid office for FAFSA due date |
| New Jersey | NJ | 2024-2025 Tuition Aid Grant recipients - April 15 2025 (date received), all other applicants September 15 2025 for fall and spring terms, February 15 2026 spring term only |
| New Mexico | NM | Check with college financial aid office |
| New York | NY | June 30 2026 (date received) |
| North Carolina | NC | For priority consideration, submit by June 1 2025 for UNC System, or by August 15 2025 for community college. Awards given until funds run out. |
| North Dakota | ND | Apply as soon as possible after October 1 2024. |
| State | Code | State Aid FAFSA Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | OH | October 1 2025 (date received) |
| Oklahoma | OK | Check. with your financial aid office. |
| Oregon | OR | OSAC Private Scholarships: March 1 2025. Oregon Opportunity Grant: ASAP after October 1 2024. Oregon Promise Grant: contact state agency |
| Pennsylvania | PA | May 1 2025 (date received); for some community college and trade school programs - August 1 2025 |
| Rhode Island | RI | Check with the financial aid office. |
| South Carolina | SC | Tuition Grants - August 1 2025 (date received), SC Commission on Higher Education - ASAP after October 1 2024 as awards made until money is depleted |
| South Dakota | SD | Check with college financial aid administrator |
| Tennessee | TN | Mar 15 2025 for prior year State Grant and Tennessee Promise recipients and new applicants (note awards made for prior recipients; new applicants based on need until money is depleted); State Lottery - fall term Sep 1 2025 and spring and summer terms March 1 2026 |
| Texas | TX | Jan 15 2025 for priority consideration (date application received). Private and two-year institutions may have different application deadlines. Check with financial aid office for 2 year colleges and private colleges. |
| Utah | UT | Check with college financial aid administrator for FAFSA due date |
| Vermont | VT | ASAP after October 1 2024 as awards made until money is depleted |
| Virginia | VA | ASAP after December 31 2024. Check with college financial aid administrator as deadlines vary |
| Washington | WA | ASAP after October 1 2024 as awards made until money is depleted |
| West Virginia | WV | Promise Scholarship - March 1 2025, new applicants submit additional form. WV Higher Education Grant Program and WV Invests Grant- April 15 2025. |
| Wisconsin | WI | Check with college financial aid administrator |
| Wyoming | WY | Check with college financial aid administrator |
FAFSA Deadline Source: FAFSA, US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid
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