Get matched with vetted scholarships and enter our
I’m a high school student I’m a college or graduate student
100% Free. No Spam.
Start typing in the text field above
Load More
Advertiser disclosure

Student-centric advice and objective recommendations

Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.

Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.

When is the 2024-2025 FAFSA Deadline?

By Will Geiger

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University.

Full Bio

Learn about our editorial policies

Reviewed by Caitlyn Cole

Caitlyn Cole is a college access professional with a decade of experience in non-profit program and project management for college readiness and access organizations.

Full Bio

Learn about our editorial policies

Edited by Maria Geiger

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Full Bio

Learn about our editorial policies

Updated: February 21st, 2024
When is the 2024-2025 FAFSA Deadline?

Are you a high school or college student who is applying for financial aid using the FAFSA or Free Application for Federal Student Aid? If so, you need to meet the proper FAFSA deadline!

See also: Our step-by-step FAFSA guide to complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA!

Jump ahead to:

Financial aid is an area where it is advantageous to complete your required steps sooner rather than later. This will allow yourself as much time as possible to receive a strong financial aid package and make a smart financial decision. Another advantage to tackling financial aid early is being eligible for some types of financial aid, such as SEOG, that may depend on when you apply.. In fact, some types of financial aid, such as the Federal SEOG award, may depend on when exactly you apply. 

Remember, you will also have to apply for financial aid for each year that you are in school so these deadlines hold true for both first-year freshman students and returning students.

Read on to learn more about all of the deadlines you will need to keep track of (and what to do if you miss any of your deadlines).

Federal 2024-2025 FAFSA deadlines

The three big FAFSA deadlines that students need to keep in mind for the 2024-2025 FAFSA are:

  • FAFSA Opens: December 31, 2023
  • FAFSA Closes: June 30, 2025
  • FAFSA Corrections: September 14, 2025

Note: The 2024-2025 FAFSA opened late this year in order to prepare the simplified, “better” FAFSA form. There have been many issues with the rollout of this year’s new FAFSA form. If you are a student or parent/guardian trying to complete the form and having trouble, please reach out to a school counselor or financial aid office for support. You can also review open and resolved issues on the FAFSA form on the Federal Student Aid website. Because of these issues and delays, financial aid award packages will be generated by colleges in late March into early April. This may have also impacted enrollment deadlines, please check your colleges website for the most up-to-date information on financial aid and enrollment deadlines. 

The 2025-2026 FAFSA is expected to return to normal with an opening date of October 1, 2024.

School FAFSA deadlines

Each school sets their own deadline for submitting the FAFSA, so make sure to check in with your school about their deadlines. These are typically much earlier than state or federal deadlines, so they’re the ones you’ll want to be the most aware of! It’s a good idea to try to start working on your FAFSA after you’ve submitted all of your college applications. This gives you a better chance of getting your estimated financial aid package earlier, giving yourself as much time as possible to make a solid financial decision. This allows them to receive a financial aid package with their acceptance. What’s more, schools that aren’t need-blind use FAFSA to help determine admissions.

Also see: Scholarships360’s free scholarship search tool

State financial aid deadlines for 2024-2025

Each state also has its own financial aid deadline for aid awarded by the state.  Keep on reading to learn about the state-specific deadlines that you should know about!

State Deadline
Alabama Contact your financial aid administrator.
Alaska The Alaska Education Grant funds are available until depleted (so students should apply ASAP after Dec 31, 2023)

Alaska Performance Scholarships are also only available until depleted. To receive priority consideration, you will need to submit your application by June 30, 2024.

American Samoa Contact your financial aid administrator.
Arizona Contact your financial aid administrator.
Arkansas July 1, 2024 for Academic Challenge and ArFuture Grant fall term, January 10, 2025 for ArFuture Grant spring term
California April 2, 2024 (for most CA-specific financial aid programs)

 

If you are applying for a Cal Grant, you will also need to submit a school-certified GPA by March 2nd.For many state financial aid programs: March 2, 2024 (date postmarked).Additional community college Cal Grants: September 2, 2024

 

Cal Grant also requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2024.

Colorado Contact your financial aid administrator.
Connecticut March 15, 2024
Delaware May 15, 2024
District of Columbia June 25, 2024 for priority consideration July 1, 2024 for DC Tuition Assistance Grant
Federated States of Micronesia Contact your financial aid administrator. 
Florida May 15, 2024
Georgia ASAP after December 31, 2023
Guam Contact your financial aid administrator. 
Hawaii Contact your financial aid administrator. 
Idaho For the Opportunity Scholarship students should apply by March 1, 2024 
Illinois Contact your financial aid administrator. 
Indiana Dec. 31, 2023 for the Adult Student Grant and Workforce Ready Grant

April 15, 2024 for Frank O’Bannon Grant and 21st Century Scholarship

Iowa July 1, 2024 (some awards may have even earlier deadlines).
Kansas April 1, 2024 (Priority Deadline)
Kentucky ASAP after Dec. 31, 2023
Louisiana July 1, 2025 (however, Feb. 1, 2024 is the recommended deadline).
Maine May 1, 2024
Marshall Islands Contact your financial aid administrator.
Maryland March 1, 2024
Massachusetts May 1, 2024 (Priority Deadline)
Michigan May 1, 2024
Minnesota June 30, 2025
Mississippi October 15, 2024 for MTAG and MESG GrantsApril 30, 2024 for HELP Scholarships
Missouri February 1, 2024 (Priority Deadline)Applications are accepted through April 1, 2024
Montana March 1, 2024 (Priority Deadline)
N. Mariana Islands April 30, 2024 (Priority Deadline)
Nebraska Contact your financial aid administrator.
Nevada ASAP after December 31, 2023 for Silver State Opportunity Grant

March 1, 2024 for Nevada Promise Scholarships

New Hampshire Contact your financial aid administrator 
New Jersey April 15, 2024 for the 2023–24 Tuition Aid Grant. September 15, 2024 for Fall and Spring terms. February 15, 2025 for Spring term only
New Mexico Contact your financial aid administrator
New York June 30, 2025
North Carolina June 1, 2024 if you are attending a UNC system institution, awards are made till funds are depleted

Aug. 15, 2024 if you are attending a community college, awards are made till funds are depleted

North Dakota ASAP after Dec. 31, 2023
Ohio October 1, 2024
Oklahoma Contact your financial aid administrator
Oregon Oregon Opportunity Grant: ASAP after Dec. 31, 2023 (funding is first come, first served).OSAC Private Scholarships: March 1, 2024 Oregon Promise Grant: Contact your state agency. 
Palau Contact your financial aid administrator.
Pennsylvania August 1, 2024 for community college, business, trade, technical school, hospital school of nursing, non transferable 2-year program, or any designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institution. May 1, 2024 for all other applicants.
Puerto Rico Contact your financial aid administrator.
Rhode Island Contact your financial aid administrator. 
South Carolina SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based Grants: As soon as possible after Dec. 31, 2023

Tuition Grants: June 30, 2024

South Dakota Contact your financial aid administrator.
Tennessee April 15, 2024 for state grants and the Tennessee Promise, September 1, 2024 for state lottery for the fall term, February 1, 2025 for state lottery for the spring and summer terms
Texas March 15, 2024 (priority deadline)
U.S. Virgin Islands Contact your financial aid administrator.
Utah Contact your financial aid administrator.
Vermont ASAP after Dec. 31, 2023
Virginia ASAP after Dec. 31, 2023
Washington ASAP after Dec. 31, 2023
West Virginia March 1, 2024: PROMISE Scholarship.

April 15, 2024: WV Higher Education Grant Program and WV Invests Grant.

Wisconsin Contact your financial aid administrator.
Wyoming Contact your financial aid administrator. 

What happens if you miss the FAFSA deadline?

If you happen to miss the FAFSA deadline or state financial aid deadline, you should get on the phone ASAP with your college’s financial aid office. Seriously. Get off of this webpage and immediately contact a financial aid officer to explore your options.

If it’s not too late, you might be able to appeal for financial aid and merit scholarships. Here are some tips for making your appeal, as well as an example appeal letter.

However, if you are in a situation where you have exhausted all options through your college, then you have three main options:

  • Scholarships
  • Gap year
  • Alternative financing

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of each of these options…

Scholarships

Scholarships are free money that does not need to be repaid, similar to need-based financial aid that you may secure through the FAFSA. There are many different types of scholarships for lots of different types of students.

However, scholarships can be a bit unpredictable. Some colleges and organizations do offer full ride scholarships, but these are extremely competitive for even the strongest students. Additionally, all scholarships do not automatically renew each year you are in school. You need to be familiar with how many years each scholarship will be awarded to you so that you can plan ahead. 

Ultimately, scholarships can be a good option if you received a strong merit scholarship from a college or if you were not expecting to receive a large amount of need-based financial aid.

Related: Should you submit the FAFSA before or after acceptance?

Gap year

If you have a high amount of demonstrated financial need and have not had luck with scholarships, a gap year may be your next best option. This will allow you to defer your college acceptance for a year. This means that you will be able to make your financial aid deadlines and qualify for the proper amount of financial aid.

The biggest downside to a gap year is that not all colleges will permit you to do a gap year (generally, you will need to apply and receive permission from the college). Additionally, gap year students will have to start their college education a year later. This can be unappealing for some students, but gap year experiences can have many benefits.

Alternative financing

Finally, alternative financing, such as Income Share Agreements or student loans, can be an option if you miss the FAFSA deadline. The upside to this option is that receiving this type of financing is more predictable–virtually all students will be able to secure some sort of ISA or student loan financing. 

The downside to this option is that both student loans and ISAs need to be paid back. This can be particularly true for students who would qualify for a high amount of need-based financial aid. Student loans and ISAs can be useful if used properly, but we always recommend that students sit down and work out the numbers to see what their post-college debt or income repayment plan would look like.

Next Steps

Next Steps

  • Submit your FAFSA as soon as you can and be aware of other state and local deadlines
  • If you are applying to more than 20 schools, you can correct your FAFSA to submit the application to more schools! Corrections for the 2024-25 FAFSA will be accepted until September 14, 2025.
  • If you are a current college student, you will have to submit a FAFSA renewal application.
  • Finally, if your school requires additional applications, like the CSS Profile, you will have to submit the additional applications by the required deadlines.
Next Steps

Frequently asked questions about FAFSA deadlines

Is it too late to apply to FAFSA 2024-2025?

The deadline for the 2024-2025 academic year is June 30, 2025. However, if federal aid is something you are counting on to fund a good portion of your educational expenses, it is best to try and get your application in as soon as you can. 

When should I fill out my FAFSA for 2024-2025?

The FAFSA opened on December 31, 2023 for the 2024-2025 school year. This means that you can fill out the application as soon as it opens, but no sooner. Like we said above, it’s best to try and fill out the FAFSA sooner rather than later. Keep in mind that each state will have their own deadlines for aid, which are important to know.

What happens if I don’t fill out FAFSA?

If you don’t fill out the FAFSA, you will not be eligible to receive federal financial aid. This could also impact your ability to qualify for state aid and help from the college you are attending, as most of them require you to have the FAFSA filled out and on file.

3 reasons to join scholarships360

  • Automatic entry to our $10,000 No-Essay Scholarship
  • Personalized matching to thousands of vetted scholarships
  • Quick apply for scholarships exclusive to our platform

By the way...Scholarships360 is 100% free!

Join For Free