Key takeaways
- The federal government requires the FAFSA be completed by the end of the academic year (June 30th) for federal student loans.
- Colleges often have priority FAFSA deadlines in November for early decision and early action students, and in February for regular decision applicants.
- Some state grant programs are first come, first serve, so students can increase their chances of winning with an early FAFSA submission.
The federal government doesn’t technically need your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) until the end of the academic year on June 30th, but states and schools often have much earlier FAFSA deadlines. The application opens on October 1 for the following academic year – and you should aim to complete it as soon as possible. Here’s why.
What is the FAFSA due date for the 2027-2028 academic year?
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The federal government requires the 2027-28 FAFSA by the end of the academic year: June 30, 2028.
However, delaying until this date takes you out of the running of many types of financial aid, such as institutional grants and scholarships, state aid programs, and the federal Pell Grant. Many colleges and states have much earlier deadlines – often in late winter or early spring – and a late FAFSA may mean you only receive offers of federal student loans.
When does the FAFSA open?
The FAFSA opens on October 1 for the following academic year. You should always aim to complete it as soon as possible to maximize your potential financial aid package.
When do colleges require the FAFSA?
Colleges have their own internal deadlines for the FAFSA, well before the federal due date. Most 4-year institutions usually require the application by February but some have priority due dates – those who submit their FAFSA by this day will receive priority consideration. You might have to send your form in even earlier if you apply to the school under early action or early decision.
Some institutions, such as MIT and Columbia University, require the CSS Profile, a separate financial aid application.
The table below breaks down 10 top colleges’ FAFSA priority due dates for new applicants but always check your school’s website for up-to-date deadlines and other important financial aid information.
| College | FAFSA EA/ED deadline | FAFSA regular decision deadline |
| Princeton University* | November 9 | February 1 |
| Harvard University | November 1 | February 1 |
| Yale University | November 1 | February 15 |
| California Institute of Technology | December 15 | March 16 |
| University of Chicago | November 15 (EA/ED I), January 15 (ED II) | February 15 |
| Stanford University | November 15 | February 15 |
| University of Pennsylvania | N/A | January 15 |
| Duke University | November 3 | February 1 |
| Dartmouth College | November 1 | February 1 |
| Brown University | N/A | February 2 |
*Princeton University doesn’t have a listed FAFSA deadline. These due dates are for the school-specific Princeton Financial Aid Application.
Transfer and returning students often have April or May FAFSA due dates, though this varies by school.
When is the FAFSA deadline for state grants?
FAFSA deadlines vary by state and state grant program. Some states recommend submitting your FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1, as funds are first come, first serve. If you delay, you run the risk of applying after the grant money is handed out for the year.
Keep in mind that states may have due dates that are later than school deadlines. For example, Michigan’s grant programs don’t require the FAFSA until July 1 but University of Michigan requires the FAFSA from regular decision applicants by March 1.
Some states and their individual programs also require separate applications in addition to the FAFSA, such as the Florida Financial Aid Application (FFAA).
This table outlines listed FAFSA due dates for all 50 states. However, deadlines can change year-to-year. We recommend visiting your state’s Department of Education for up-to-date information.
State |
FAFSA due date |
| Alabama | No state deadline |
| Alaska | ASAP for AEG, June 30 for APS |
| Arizona | April 1 priority deadline |
| Arkansas | July 1 |
| California | March 2 for most programs, September 2 for some community college programs |
| Colorado | No state deadline |
| Connecticut | February 15 |
| Delaware | June 25 priority deadline, July 1 deadline |
| Florida | May 15 |
| Georgia | ASAP |
| Hawaii | No state deadline |
| Idaho | March 1 |
| Illinois | ASAP |
| Indiana | ASAP with April 15 deadline |
| Iowa | July 1 |
| Kansas | April 1 priority deadline |
| Kentucky | ASAP |
| Louisiana | February 1 |
| Maine | May 1 |
| Maryland | March 1 |
| Massachusetts | May 1 |
| Michigan | June 30 |
| Minnesota | June 30 priority deadline, by the 30th day of the term hard deadline |
| Mississippi | October 15 for MTAG and MESG grants, April 30 for HELP Grant |
| Missouri | February 2 priority deadline, April 1 |
| Montana | ASAP |
| Nebraska | No state deadline |
| Nevada | ASAP for SSOG, April 1 for NPS |
| New Hampshire | No state deadline |
| New Jersey | September 15 for fall and spring terms, February 15 for spring term only, April 15 for renewal |
| New Mexico | No state deadline |
| New York | June 30 |
| North Carolina | Varying priority deadlines, ASAP for private institutions, June 1 for UNC system schools, August 15 for community colleges |
| North Dakota | ASAP |
| Ohio | October 1 of the following year (October 1, 2028 for the 27-28 award year) |
| Oklahoma | No state deadline |
| Oregon | ASAP |
| Pennsylvania | May 1 for most schools, August 1 for select institutions such as community college, nursing, and technical schools |
| Rhode Island | No state deadline |
| South Carolina | ASAP for need-based grants, Aug 1 for tuition grants |
| South Dakota | No state deadline |
| Tennessee | April 1 for state grant renewal and Tennessee Promise, for the State Lottery program: September 1 (fall term), March 1 (spring term), May 1 (summer term) |
| Texas | January 15 priority deadline |
| Utah | ASAP priority deadline, March 20 |
| Vermont | ASAP |
| Virginia | ASAP |
| Washington | ASAP |
| West Virginia | March 1 for PROMISE Scholarship, April 15 for state grants |
| Wisconsin | No state deadline |
| Wyoming | No state deadline |
FAFSA due date FAQs
What happens if I miss the FAFSA deadline?
If you miss the FAFSA deadline, reach out to your college’s financial aid office. They may accept a late submission or provide additional advice.
Some schools’ listed dates are actually priority deadlines. You can still submit yours after this date but you’ll be less likely to receive aid than someone who submitted before the priority due date.
Why should I complete the FAFSA as soon as possible?
Some financial aid programs are first come, first serve. By submitting your FAFSA as soon as possible, you maximize your potential financial aid package.
For example, a first come, first serve grant program with limited funds has a March 1 FAFSA deadline. However, they’ve handed out all the money to qualifying students by January 1. The grant program then closes submissions for the year on January 1.
Do scholarships require the FAFSA?
Some scholarships require the FAFSA. Colleges often require the form for institutional scholarships, even merit-based awards. Outside scholarships could request your Student Aid Index (SAI) from your FAFSA to determine eligibility.
Submitting your FAFSA
You should always aim to submit your FAFSA on or shortly after October 1. Even if your school or state has a late deadline, completing your application as soon as possible will give you peace of mind and help you avoid any last minute problems should you run into technical issues or requests for further information.
The FAFSA isn’t your only tool when it comes to financial aid – scholarship databases can help you find awards you qualify for with less legwork. Check out College Raptor’s Scholarship Search tool today.
Are you in high school and trying to figure out what steps you need to take to prep for college? Check out the Citizens Student Hub to learn more.
