When Is the FAFSA Deadline?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is due to the federal government by June 30 each year. For example, the FAFSA for the 2024-25 college school year is due by June 30, 2025. The latest 2025-26 FAFSA is due by June 30, 2026.

However, states and colleges often have much earlier FAFSA deadlines than the federal government. Meet these deadlines to qualify for the most financial aid possible. For best results, submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after the form opens: some state aid comes from a limited pool and is first-come, first-serve.

The FAFSA open date is typically Oct. 1 for the following academic year. The 2025-26 form was slightly delayed; it opened to all students on Nov. 18, 2024.

» MORE: 2025-26 FAFSA opens for all students

You must submit the FAFSA each year you are in college in order to unlock federal student loans, need-based Pell Grants, some private scholarships, work-study and other financial aid for college.

FAFSA open date and federal submission deadline

The federal deadline is the last day you can submit the FAFSA each year. If you need financial aid for the 2024-25 school year, you can submit the form through June 30, 2025. For the upcoming 2025-26 school year, the FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2026.

Even if you wait until June 30, you can receive grants and loans to retroactively cover what you’ve already paid for in the spring and fall semesters. Or, depending on your school, you may be able to apply the funds to pay for summer school.

» MORE: How much financial aid can I get?

State and institutional FAFSA deadlines

States and individual colleges set their own priority FAFSA deadlines, typically months earlier than the federal one. You must file your application by these deadlines to qualify for state and institutional grants and scholarships. Check your state’s financial aid deadline on the Federal Student Aid website.

Examples of state financial aid include California’s Cal Grant and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program. These valuable awards can be worth thousands of dollars.

If you’re attending an out-of-state school, you may not qualify for state aid — check with the state to see if you do.

» MORE: FAFSA checklist: The documents you'll need

FAFSA corrections deadline

FAFSA corrections and updates are typically due by mid-September following the relevant academic year. You may need to make a correction if you made a mistake on the form, or if your financial situation changed.

For example, corrections to the 2024-25 FAFSA are due by Sept. 14, 2025. Corrections to the 2025-26 form are due by Sept. 13, 2026.

» MORE: What is the FAFSA Submission Summary?

Next steps in your financial aid timeline

Track colleges’ financial aid deadlines. Priority deadlines at individual schools often fall the earliest, so those deadlines are the most important to track. Those dates are also the best chance to get the most aid. Look up the deadlines for all of the schools you’re applying to and write them down in one place — try using your phone’s calendar, a spreadsheet or a notebook dedicated to your college search.

Submit any other financial aid applications. Many schools require additional or alternative financial aid applications, such as the CSS Profile, to qualify for aid. You'll need to submit all the required paperwork before the deadline to be considered for aid.

» MORE: How to check your FAFSA submission status

Wait for your financial aid award letter. This details how much free aid you qualify for and how much in federal loans you can borrow. You may appeal your award if you didn’t get enough aid.

Make changes to the FAFSA after submission, if needed. If you spot an error or you need more aid due to a change in your family's finances, you can update the FAFSA before the corrections deadline. To make changes, go to fafsa.gov. Click the "Log In" button and type in your FSA ID. Once on the "My FAFSA" page, click "Make Corrections." You can then make a save key, edit your FAFSA and resubmit your application.