Every year, students and their families begin filling out financial aid applications by logging on to www.fafsa.ed.gov to file their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). As you begin the process to secure financial aid for college, please pay careful attention to the federal and state financial aid deadlines.
Even if you don't think you will qualify for need-based financial aid, we strongly encourage you to explore all your college-funding options.
What Filing Your FAFSA Application Does for You
• Will let the federal government determine your financial "need" to cover the costs of attending the colleges you specify on your application.
• After you file your FAFSA application, the schools you selected on the application will receive your Student Aid Report. Your prospective colleges base their financial aid offers on the information you submit through FAFSA.
• Determines your eligibility for federal and state grants.
• Determines your "Expected Family Contribution" -- the amount of money (after state, federal and college-based financial aid) your family will need to pay for college.
Financial Aid Application Deadlines
The FAFSA is the federal application for financial aid, but it is also used to apply for aid from other sources, such as your state or school. The earlier you file the FAFSA application, the more aid there is available. Need-based financial aid is distributed on a first come, first served basis.
TIP: The financial aid deadlines for your state or schools may differ from the federal financial aid deadlines, and you may be required to complete additional forms. Check with your high school guidance counselor or a financial aid administrator at your school about state and school sources of student aid.
Federal Financial Aid Deadlines
You need to be aware of the deadlines associated with applying for federal financial aid. There are deadlines specifically for submitting your FAFSA application both online and on paper, as well as separate deadlines by which you can submit corrections to your form.
Federal student financial aid deadlines can be found here on the FAFSA website.
Federal Student Aid considers a FAFSA’s receipt date and time to be when the FAFSA/correction is submitted successfully. Transactions must be completed and accepted by midnight to meet the deadline. If you wait too long to submit your application and it is rejected, you may miss your school’s deadline.
TIP: When you submit your FAFSA application, be sure to print out the confirmation page and keep it for your records. It contains a confirmation number with the exact date and time (Central Standard Time) the form was received.
State Financial Aid Deadlines
State deadlines may be earlier than the federal deadline. And remember, you want to apply early before funds run out. State student financial aid deadlines can be found here on the FAFSA website.
TIP: State forms do not replace filling out the FAFSA application. You must fill out the FAFSA to receive federal student aid.