FAFSA Guide
The latest on the 2024-25 Free Application for Federal Student Aid
The new, redesigned FAFSA is finally live. Start by creating your FSA ID, which can take 1-3 days. For the new 2024-25 FAFSA, every student — along with parents, spouses or other required contributors — needs their own.
Another key change this year: the Education Department says it will not send along FAFSA eligibility information to colleges and states until sometime in March, no matter when you submit the form before then. It is also fixing a math error that could affect how much financial aid students receive, though it's unclear when those changes will take effect. Read on for additional guidance from NerdWallet's higher education team.
Key FAFSA dates and deadlines
Late December 2023: soft launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA.
When FAFSA data will process: Currently, sometime in March, per the Department of Education.
Your school's FAFSA deadline: different states and colleges have different FAFSA deadlines, ranging from mid-January through June. Check with the financial aid office for potential deadline changes due to this year's delays.
College decision day: Typically May 1 for fall enrollment, though many colleges have pushed decision day into June to accommodate FAFSA delays.
June 30, 2024: federal deadline for the 2023-24 FAFSA.
June 30, 2025: expected federal deadline for the 2024-25 FAFSA. But remember: financial aid is first-come, first-served.
FAFSA basics FAQ
How to complete the FAFSA
Ready to submit your FAFSA? Head to FAFSA.gov, where you'll be able to create your FSA ID. You'll need your social security number and your own email address. The new form is shorter and designed to take less time: some say as little as 10 minutes, though budget more time if it's your first go or are completing forms for more than one student.