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When is the 2023-2024 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 2023-2024 FAFSA!

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Financial aid is an area where you want to be first in line, as opposed to last in line. 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 2023-2024 FAFSA deadlines

The three big FAFSA deadlines that students need to keep in mind for the 2023-2024 FAFSA are:

  • FAFSA Opens: October 1, 2022
  • FAFSA Closes: June 30, 2024
  • FAFSA Corrections: September 14, 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! Students typically submit their FAFSA along with their college application. 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 2023-2024

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 Alaska Education Grant funds are available until depleted (so students should apply ASAP after October 1, 2022)
Alaska Performance Scholarships are also only available until depleted. To receive priority consideration, you will need to submit your application by June 30, 2023.
American Samoa Contact your financial aid administrator.
Arizona Contact your financial aid administrator.
Arkansas July 1, 2023 for Academic Challenge and ArFuture Grant fall termJanuary 10, 2024 for ArFuture Grant spring term
California March 2, 2023 (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, 2023 (date postmarked).Additional community college Cal Grants: September 2, 2023

Cal Grant also requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2023.
Colorado Contact your financial aid administrator.
Connecticut February 15, 2023
Delaware May 15, 2023
District of Columbia July 1, 2023 for priority considerationAugust 1, 2023 for DC Tuition Assistance Grant
Federated States of Micronesia Contact your financial aid administrator. 
Florida May 15, 2023
Georgia ASAP after October 1, 2022
Guam Contact your financial aid administrator. 
Hawaii Contact your financial aid administrator. 
Idaho March 1, 2023 (Priority Deadline)
Illinois ASAP after Oct. 1, 2022
Indiana ASAP after Oct. 1, 2022
April 15, 2023 for Frank O’Bannon Grant
April 18, 2023 for 21st Century Scholarship
Iowa July 1, 2023 (some awards may have even earlier deadlines).
Kansas April 1, 2023 (Priority Deadline)
Kentucky ASAP after Oct. 1, 2022
Louisiana July 1, 2024 (however, Feb. 1, 2023 is the recommended deadline).
Maine May 1, 2023
Marshall Islands Contact your financial aid administrator.
Maryland March 1, 2023
Massachusetts May 1, 2023 (Priority Deadline)
Michigan May 1, 2023
Minnesota 30 days after your term starts.
Mississippi October 15, 2023 for MTAG and MESG GrantsApril 30, 2023 for HELP Scholarships
Missouri February 1, 2023 (Priority Deadline)Applications are accepted through April 1, 2023
Montana December 1, 2022 (Priority Deadline)
N. Mariana Islands April 30, 2023 (Priority Deadline)
Nebraska Contact your financial aid administrator.
Nevada ASAP after October 1, 2022 for Silver State Opportunity Grant
March 1, 2023 for Nevada Promise Scholarships
New Hampshire Contact your financial aid administrator. 
New Jersey April 15, 2023 for the 2022–23 Tuition Aid Grant.September 15, 2023 for Fall and Spring terms.February 15, 2024 for Spring term only.
New Mexico Contact your financial aid administrator.
New York June 30, 2024
North Carolina ASAP after Oct. 1, 2022
North Dakota ASAP after Oct. 1, 2022
Ohio October 1, 2023
Oklahoma Contact your financial aid administrator
Oregon Oregon Opportunity Grant: ASAP after Oct. 1, 2022 (funding is first come, first served).OSAC Private Scholarships: March 1, 2023Oregon Promise Grant: Contact your state agency. 
Palau Contact your financial aid administrator.
Pennsylvania August 1, 2023 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, 2023 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 Oct. 1, 2022
Tuition Grants: June 30, 2023
South Dakota Contact your financial aid administrator.
Tennessee March 1, 2023 for state grants and the Tennessee PromiseSeptember 1, 2023 for state lottery for the fall termFebruary 1, 2024 for state lottery for the spring and summer terms
Texas January 15, 2023 (priority deadline)
U.S. Virgin Islands Contact your financial aid administrator.
Utah Contact your financial aid administrator.
Vermont ASAP after Oct. 1, 2022
Virginia ASAP after Oct. 1, 2022
Washington ASAP after Oct. 1, 2022
West Virginia March 1, 2023: PROMISE Scholarship.
April 15, 2023: 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 if you will be requiring a large amount of scholarship dollars to pay for college. Some colleges and organizations do offer full ride scholarships, but these are extremely competitive for even the strongest students.

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.

Related: Taking a gap year: Everything you need to know 

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

Next Steps

Frequently asked questions about FAFSA deadlines

Is it too late to apply to FAFSA 2023-2024?

The deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is June 30, 2024. 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 2023-2024?

The FAFSA opened on October 1, 2022 for the 2023-2024 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.