When Is the 2024-25 FAFSA Deadline?

Learn the critical dates for submitting the FAFSA to maximize your financial aid opportunities. Discover the federal, state, and school deadlines, and understand the importance of filing early to secure the best funding options.

13.02.2025

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21 min.

3 FAFSA Deadlines You Need To Know
When Is FAFSA Due? Important Deadlines for 2025
Types of Financial Aid
What Do You Need to Submit Your FAFSA Form?
FAFSA Submission Summary
Can You Make Changes to the FAFSA After Applying?
What to Do If You Miss the FAFSA Deadline
Conclusion

If you are attending school in the U.S. and need financial aid, you need to file the FAFSA every year. Knowing the FAFSA deadlines is key, as missing them can limit your access to funding. The federal deadline for the 2024-25 FAFSA is June 30, 2025, but state and school deadlines are much earlier so submit it as soon as possible. Stay on top of these dates so you don’t miss out on grants, scholarships, and other financial aid.

3 FAFSA Deadlines You Need To Know

The FAFSA is a critical tool for funding colleges in the United States, as it determines eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid. Each year, applications open on October 1 and close on June 30, but it's wise to submit your FAFSA as early as possible. Although the FAFSA only needs to be completed once per year, different deadlines apply for federal, state, and school-specific aid programs. Missing any deadlines can reduce the aid available, so submit on time.

Your college or trade school typically has the earliest FAFSA deadline, which varies by school. If applying to multiple schools, check each deadline and submit accordingly. Many schools have priority deadlines for the best financial aid, which are listed on their financial aid page. If you're unsure where you're applying, submit your FAFSA listing all schools, and you can update it later.

To qualify for state grants and scholarships, submit your FAFSA before your state’s deadline. Your state of legal residence is where your permanent address is, not where you moved to school. Millions of state aid go unclaimed each year, and some states have firm deadlines while others offer priority dates. In addition to submitting your FAFSA, some states may require state-specific forms to qualify for aid.

The federal deadline, set by the U.S. Department of Education, is typically the latest of the three deadlines. However, to maximize your aid eligibility, it's best to apply by your school’s and state’s deadlines.

The federal deadline is your final chance to submit your FAFSA for the current academic year, as the form remains open until June 30. While late submissions may result in a smaller aid package, you could still be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant, so don't assume it's too late to make a difference.

When Is FAFSA Due? Important Deadlines for 2025

Federal deadline for 2024-25. The FAFSA for the 2024-25 school year must be submitted by June 30, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT. Corrections or updates must be made by September 13, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CT.
Federal deadline for 2025-26. The FAFSA for the 2025-26 school year must be submitted by June 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT. Any corrections or updates must be made by September 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT.
Retroactive aid. Even if you submit your FAFSA by the federal deadline in June, you can receive grants and loans retroactively for expenses already paid for the spring and fall semesters. Depending on your school, these funds might also be applied to summer school.
2024-25 FAFSA opening. The FAFSA for the 2024-25 academic year opens in December 2023.
2025-26 FAFSA opening. The FAFSA for the 2025-26 academic year opens on November 18, 2024.
2026-27 FAFSA opening. The FAFSA for the 2026-27 academic year is expected to open on October 1, 2025.

Note! Submitting your FAFSA before being accepted can be confusing, as schools consider you for aid only after admission. However, most colleges recommend applying early, so your information is ready when you receive your admissions decision.

If you miss FAFSA deadlines, contact your school’s financial aid office to explore remaining options. Some states and schools may still award aid to late applicants, but your chances decrease, and the aid offered is often lower. You may still be eligible for a Federal Pell Grant. However, if you miss the June 30 federal deadline, you will no longer be able to submit your FAFSA for that year.

Types of Financial Aid

Grants. Grants are funds you don’t have to repay as long as you complete your degree. These include Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, TEACH Grants, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants.
Scholarships. Scholarships are awards that don’t need to be paid back, typically based on merit or for specific groups of people rather than financial need.
Work-study jobs. Work-study jobs are part-time positions for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. In exchange for your work, you earn income to help cover your educational expenses.
Federal student loans. Federal loans usually offer lower interest rates than private loans and come with flexible repayment options like income-based repayment (IBR). Loan amounts depend on your school year, student status, and dependency tax status.

FAFSA recognizes some international schools, so if you’re a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen planning to study abroad, you may qualify for student aid to help cover the costs of your program. A list of participating schools is available on FAFSA.gov. Additionally, FAFSA can be used to secure financial aid for trade schools and certain online degree programs. If you’re unsure whether a program or school is eligible, it’s best to contact the financial aid office or a representative for more information.

What Do You Need to Submit Your FAFSA Form?

FSA ID. You’ll need to create an FSA ID by entering your name and social security number before you can start your FAFSA application online at FAFSA.gov, via the myStudentAid app, or on a paper form.
Social security number or alien registration number. If you're not a U.S. citizen, you’ll need to provide your alien registration number to complete the application.
Federal tax returns, W2s, and other income documents. You’ll need to include your federal tax returns, W2 forms, and any additional documentation that reflects your income. If you are a dependent student, you must also include your parent's financial documents. Independent students only need to report their income.
Bank statements and records of investments. If applicable, you may also need to include bank statements and records of investments to provide a clearer picture of your financial situation.
Records of untaxed income. If you have any untaxed income, such as child support or veterans' benefits, you’ll need to report it as well. Dependent students must also report untaxed income for their parents, if applicable.

Avoid missing out on aid. Waiting until the deadline means you could miss out on financial aid for the fall and spring semesters, and you may only qualify for summer aid.
First-come, first-served basis. Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. By applying early, you improve your chances of receiving more aid based on your Expected Family Contribution (EFC).
State and college deadlines. Many states and colleges have their application deadlines. If you wait too long, you could miss out on state and college-specific financial aid opportunities.
University scholarships and state grants. University-based scholarships and state grants are often limited and awarded early, so applying early increases your chances of receiving these funds.
Earlier financial aid award letter. The sooner you apply, the sooner you'll receive your financial aid award letter, helping you make a more informed decision about which college to attend.
Limited funding. Grant and scholarship funds run out quickly, so applying early ensures you’re in the running for the best opportunities. Student loans are always available but should be considered as a last resort.
More time to correct errors. Early submission gives you more time to fix any errors on your FAFSA or provide additional information if necessary.
Early bird scholarships. Some scholarships have early deadlines tied to FAFSA submission dates, so applying early can improve your chances of qualifying for these scholarships.

FAFSA Submission Summary

The FAFSA Submission Summary is a document that provides a summary of your financial aid eligibility and the responses you submitted on your FAFSA form. It includes your estimated financial aid for the relevant academic year and a record of your FAFSA answers.

However, it’s important to note that the summary is not an official financial aid offer. Colleges use the information in your summary to create your official financial aid package once they have admitted you.

Estimated eligibility for federal student loans. The summary will show the estimated amount you may qualify for in federal student loans.
Estimated eligibility for the Pell Grant. You will see your estimated eligibility for the need-based Pell Grant, which can provide up to $7,395 per academic year and doesn’t need to be repaid.
Estimated eligibility for federal work-study. This shows whether you may qualify for federal work-study, which allows you to work part-time while attending school to help cover educational expenses.
A copy of your FAFSA responses. The summary will include a copy of the answers you provided to each question on the FAFSA form.
School information. You’ll find details about the schools you selected to send your FAFSA to, including graduation rates, median student debt upon completion, and the average annual cost of attendance.
Student Aid Index (SAI). This index, ranging from -1,500 to 999,999, measures your financial need. A lower SAI means you have higher financial need, which colleges use to determine your financial aid package.
Instructions if incomplete. If your FAFSA was incomplete, the summary will include instructions on how to resolve any issues before you can receive your final SAI.

You can access your FAFSA Submission Summary 1-3 business days after submission. Log into your StudentAid.gov account and check your dashboard for the submission and processing dates, along with a link to view your summary. Only students can access the summary; parents and spouses cannot. To download it, click “Print FAFSA Submission Summary” and save it as a PDF.

Carefully review your FAFSA Submission Summary to ensure all information is correct, as it affects your SAI and eligibility for federal aid. If you find errors, such as an incorrect address, make corrections through your StudentAid.gov account. For issues with your Social Security number or tax information, you may need to submit a new FAFSA on paper - contact your financial aid office for guidance. If your financial situation has changed, such as a drop in income, reach out to the school’s financial aid office. Only after exhausting all federal and free aid options should you consider private student loans.

Can You Make Changes to the FAFSA After Applying?

You can update certain details after submitting your FAFSA. For the 2025-26 academic year, changes can be made until September 13, 2026. You can update personal info, contact details, or dependency status and should inform the schools you applied to.

If you made an SSN mistake, log into your StudentAid.gov account to correct it, and after verification, submit the correction.

However, financial details, like savings account balances, can’t be changed. If you face financial hardship, you can file a financial aid appeal with your school.

What to Do If You Miss the FAFSA Deadline

Reach out to your school’s financial aid office. If you miss the FAFSA deadline, contact your school’s financial aid office to explore your options. Some colleges may offer flexibility with financial aid, even for late applicants.
Apply for other scholarships. College grants and federal loans aren’t the only financial aid options. Look for scholarships from third-party companies and organizations. Use scholarship search engines to find additional opportunities.
Ask for help. If possible, ask your parents or other loved ones for financial assistance to help pay for the current school year. Just be sure to submit your FAFSA on time for the next year.
Consider private student loans. You can apply for private student loans without the FAFSA. Before proceeding, calculate how much you need to borrow and ensure you can afford the monthly repayment.
Find a part or full-time job. While not ideal, working while studying can help cover college costs and reduce the need for loans.
Consider a community college. Starting at a community college can save money before transferring to a four-year university to complete your degree.

Conclusion

Securing financial aid for your education starts with submitting your FAFSA on time. To maximize the aid you can receive, make sure to prioritize completing the form well in advance of the deadlines set by your state and schools. By staying organized and proactive, you can ensure that you don’t miss out on valuable financial resources to support your studies.

FAQ

Yes, you can complete and submit your FAFSA before finalizing your college applications. When doing so, just be sure to list all the schools you are considering. If you decide to apply to more colleges later, you can easily update your FAFSA by adding or removing schools at any time.

Yes, even if you’re only seeking scholarships, some may require FAFSA information as part of the application process. It’s a good idea to submit the FAFSA to ensure you’re considered for all available scholarship opportunities.

To renew your FAFSA, simply log in using the FAFSA ID and password from the previous year. Many of your details will be prefilled, which helps speed up the process. Then, select "renew my FAFSA form," update any changes, and provide any requested financial information. Once done, you can submit your updated FAFSA.

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