FAFSA Deadlines 2025-2026
Federal and state deadlines for the 2025-26 academic year
Apply Early — Many Programs Run Out of Funds
The FAFSA opens on October 1, 2024 for the 2025-26 school year. Many state grants and institutional scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Filing early maximizes your chances of receiving the most aid.
Federal FAFSA Deadlines
October 1, 2024
FAFSA Opens
The earliest you can submit your FAFSA for the 2025-26 academic year.
June 30, 2026
Federal Deadline
Last day to submit FAFSA for the 2025-26 year. State and school deadlines are much earlier.
September 14, 2026
Corrections Deadline
Last day to make corrections or updates to your 2025-26 FAFSA.
Important: While the federal deadline is June 30, 2026, applying this late will cause you to miss most state aid and many institutional scholarships. Aim to submit your FAFSA as close to October 1 as possible.
State Deadline Overview
Many states award aid on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Even states without formal deadlines strongly encourage early application.
Jump to State
State-by-State FAFSA Deadlines
| State | Deadline | Priority Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No state deadline | — | Apply as early as possible for institutional aid |
| Alaska | No state deadline | — | Alaska Performance Scholarship has separate application |
| Arizona | No state deadline | — | Check individual school deadlines |
| Arkansas | June 1, 2025 | January 15, 2025 | Academic Challenge Scholarship priority deadline |
| California | March 2, 2025 | — | Cal Grant deadline. Some programs have earlier deadlines. |
| Colorado | No state deadline | — | Apply early for best consideration |
| Connecticut | February 15, 2025 | — | For CT state grants and scholarships |
| Delaware | April 15, 2025 | — | Delaware SEED Scholarship deadline |
| District of Columbia | June 30, 2025 | May 1, 2025 | DC TAG and DC CAP programs |
| Florida | May 15, 2025 | — | Florida Student Assistance Grant |
| Georgia | No state deadline | — | HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarships have GPA requirements |
| Hawaii | No state deadline | — | Check UH system deadlines |
| Idaho | March 1, 2025 | — | Idaho Opportunity Scholarship |
| Illinois | As soon as possible | — | MAP Grant - funds limited, apply early |
| Indiana | April 15, 2025 | — | Frank O'Bannon Grant and 21st Century Scholars |
| Iowa | July 1, 2025 | — | Iowa Tuition Grant |
| Kansas | April 1, 2025 | — | Kansas Comprehensive Grant |
| Kentucky | As soon as possible | — | CAP and KTG programs - funds limited |
| Louisiana | July 1, 2025 | — | TOPS Scholarship - additional requirements apply |
| Maine | May 1, 2025 | — | Maine State Grant Program |
| Maryland | March 1, 2025 | — | Maryland State Scholarships |
| Massachusetts | May 1, 2025 | — | MASSGrant and other state aid |
| Michigan | March 1, 2025 | — | Michigan Competitive Scholarship |
| Minnesota | 30 days after start of term | — | Minnesota State Grant |
| Mississippi | March 31, 2025 | — | MTAG and MESG programs |
| Missouri | February 1, 2025 | — | Access Missouri and Bright Flight |
| Montana | March 1, 2025 | — | Montana Higher Education Grant |
| Nebraska | No state deadline | — | Nebraska Opportunity Grant - apply early |
| Nevada | As soon as possible | — | Nevada Promise Scholarship has separate deadline |
| New Hampshire | No state deadline | — | Granite State Grant - apply early |
| New Jersey | April 15, 2025 | September 15, 2024 | Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) - September priority for renewal |
| New Mexico | No state deadline | — | Lottery Scholarship and Opportunity Scholarship |
| New York | June 30, 2025 | — | TAP and Excelsior Scholarship |
| North Carolina | As soon as possible | — | NC Need-Based Scholarship - funds limited |
| North Dakota | April 15, 2025 | — | ND State Grant and Scholarships |
| Ohio | October 1, 2025 | — | Ohio College Opportunity Grant |
| Oklahoma | As soon as possible | — | Oklahoma Tuition Aid Grant - funds limited |
| Oregon | As soon as possible | — | Oregon Opportunity Grant - funds limited |
| Pennsylvania | May 1, 2025 | — | PA State Grant Program |
| Rhode Island | March 1, 2025 | — | Rhode Island State Grant |
| South Carolina | June 30, 2025 | — | Tuition Grants and LIFE Scholarship |
| South Dakota | No state deadline | — | Check institutional deadlines |
| Tennessee | February 1, 2025 | January 15, 2025 | Tennessee Student Assistance Award |
| Texas | January 15, 2025 | — | TEXAS Grant - priority deadline |
| Utah | No state deadline | — | Check individual institution deadlines |
| Vermont | As soon as possible | — | Vermont State Grant - funds limited |
| Virginia | As soon as possible | — | Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant - funds limited |
| Washington | As soon as possible | — | Washington College Grant - funds limited |
| West Virginia | April 15, 2025 | — | WV Higher Education Grant and PROMISE |
| Wisconsin | As soon as possible | — | Wisconsin Grant - funds limited |
| Wyoming | No state deadline | — | Hathaway Scholarship has separate requirements |
Disclaimer: Deadlines are subject to change. Always verify current deadlines with your state's higher education agency or financial aid office. This information is for the 2025-26 academic year.
Tips for Meeting FAFSA Deadlines
Create Your FSA ID Early
Create your FSA ID at studentaid.gov before the FAFSA opens. Parents of dependent students need their own FSA ID too.
Gather Documents in Advance
Have tax returns, W-2s, and bank statements ready. The FAFSA uses "prior-prior year" taxes (2023 taxes for 2025-26 FAFSA).
Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool
Import tax information directly from the IRS to save time and reduce errors.
Know ALL Your Deadlines
You may have three different deadlines: federal, state, and institutional. Your college may have the earliest deadline of all.
Submit, Then Make Corrections
It's better to submit on time with estimates than to miss a deadline. You can make corrections after submitting.
What If You Miss a Deadline?
Missing a deadline doesn't mean you can't receive any aid, but your options may be limited:
- Federal Aid: As long as you apply before June 30, 2026, you can still receive federal Pell Grants and student loans for the 2025-26 year.
- State Aid: Many state programs cannot accept late applications. However, some states have remaining funds after initial awards. Contact your state agency directly.
- Institutional Aid: Contact your school's financial aid office immediately. Some schools reserve funds for late applicants or have appeals processes.
- Private Scholarships: Many private scholarships have their own deadlines and don't require the FAFSA. Continue searching and applying.
Pro Tip: Even if you've missed state deadlines, still submit your FAFSA. You'll need it for federal aid, and your school may have institutional funds available.
Don't Wait — Start Your FAFSA Today
The earlier you file, the more aid you may receive. Many programs award funds until they run out.