Procrastinators beware — the longer you wait to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the less money you’re likely to receive. The FAFSA deadline for the 2018-2019 school year is June 30, 2019, but submitting your FAFSA as close to the application opening date of October 1, 2017 increases your chances of getting aid.
What Is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is used to show how much money in federal loans, grants and work-study you should receive. It also determines if you’re eligible for scholarships and grants. Colleges also use it to determine if you should get institutional aid. In other words, it’s really important that you meet the FAFSA deadline.
The FAFSA always has an 18-month application cycle, which means the FAFSA deadline will rotate every 18 months. It asks for your financial and tax information from the 12 months prior in order to determine how much aid you qualify for.
Who Should Submit the FAFSA?
All high school seniors who are going to college and returning college students should file the 2018-2019 FAFSA. Students who are dependent and independent need to file it. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know what school you’re attending because you can always edit the list later on.
There are several important things to remember: The information provided below is for the 2018-2019 school year.
- The FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2019 no matter where you live.
- You need to submit your online application by 12:00 am CST on June 30, 2019.
- You can make updates or corrections until 12:00 am on September 14, 2019.
Colleges Set Their Own FAFSA Deadline
If you get into a school, you’ll probably see your aid package around the same time that you receive your acceptance letter. This means that the college wants to receive your FAFSA application early so they can review both at the same time.
Some schools might require you to submit a CSS profile, which is another document that will show your financial need. It’s used by nearly 400 schools and scholarship programs to provide you with aid from non-governmental sources. After you submit, the College Board will send it to programs of your choosing. Check directly on your college’s website to find out if this is a requirement and the deadlines for submission.
States Also Set Their Own FAFSA Deadline
It’s important to note that there are state financial deadlines you need to adhere to as well. You can find your state-specific deadlines here. For students attending in-state public colleges, states have their own financial aid programs to support attendance. For example, California’s deadline is March 2, 2018 for their state financial aid programs.
File the FAFSA before your state’s deadline and as early as possible to give yourself the best chances of getting aid. Those who submit early usually have a greater chance of getting financial support, because it’s provided to students on a first-come, first-served basis.
Several Other Requirements for Submitting at the State Level:
- Additional forms might be required. Your state agency or financial aid contact should be able to tell you.
- You might need to obtain proof of mailing.
- The deadline might be Central Daylight Time or Central Standard Time, so check carefully.
- Submit by the date specified so you can have first consideration.
- The deadline could be determined differently — some states go by date received while others go by date postmarked.
Don’t Assume You Won’t Qualify for Aid
Some students make the mistake of assuming their family’s household income is too high to qualify for aid. This isn’t true and many students let the FAFSA deadline pass without investigating their options. All students should fill out the FAFSA form, because even families with high household incomes can qualify for aid depending on what schools he is applying to.
If your family earns over $100,000 a year, you may not qualify for need-based aid to attend a state school, but you might receive aid if you’re attending a private college that’s more expensive. If you have siblings and some are also enrolled in college, then you may qualify for more aid.
More importantly, you’ll be eligible for a federal student loan no matter what your circumstances are. You never know when your financial situation might change so it’s important to file the FAFSA in the event that your finances change due to a job loss and you need aid. If you miss the FAFSA deadline, then you can’t receive aid in time.
Get Your Documents Ready
Even though the opening FAFSA deadline of October 1 has come and gone, you can still get your documents ready to apply. Gather your 2016 tax return, W-2s, bank statements and any records of other assets. You’ll also need to get a Create an FSA ID to access the online portal to fill out the application.
Your parents will also need to get a FSA ID if you’re listed as a dependent on their tax return. You should get your ID as soon as you can, because it can take up to three days to get it. You can file the FAFSA at Create an FSA ID.
Submit the FAFSA As Soon As You Can
Try to file your FAFSA as soon as possible. Not only will it increase your chances of getting financial aid, but you can then focus your attention on applying for scholarships, too. The FAFSA is a lengthy application, but it’s well worth it to get ahead of the FAFSA deadline and then not have to worry about it any longer.
FAFSA State Deadlines
| State | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Alaska | Alaska Performance Scholarship – June 30, 2018. For priority consideration, submit an application by date specified. Awards made until funds are depleted. Alaska Education Grant – As soon as possible after October 1, 2017. Awards made until funds are depleted |
| American Samoa | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required. |
| Arizona | Check with your financial aid administrator. |
| Arkansas | Academic Challenge – June 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. Workforce Grant – Check with your financial aid administrator. Higher Education Opportunity Grant – June 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time |
| California | For many state financial aid programs – March 2, 2018 (date postmarked). Cal Grant also requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2018. Applicants are encouraged to obtain proof of mailing their GPA and to retain a copy of their GPA form. For additional community college Cal Grants – September 2, 2018 (date postmarked). If you are a non-citizen without a Social Security card or had one issued through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, you should fill out the California Dream Act Application found at caldreamact.org. You do not need to fill out a FAFSA to be eligible for California student financial aid. Contact the California Student Aid Commission (csac.ca.gov) or your financial aid administrator for more information. Additional forms may be required. Applicants encouraged to keep a record of their submission by printing out their online FAFSA confirmation page or obtaining proof of mailing the FAFSA. |
| Colorado | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Connecticut | February 15, 2018, by midnight, Central Time. For priority consideration, submit an application by date specified. Additional forms may be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency. |
| Delaware | April 15, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. |
| District of Columbia | FAFSA completed by May 1, 2018. For priority consideration, submit an application by date specified. For DCTAG, complete the DC OneApp and submit supporting documents by May 31, 2018. For priority consideration, submit an application by date specified. |
| Federal States of Micronesia | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required. |
| Florida | May 15, 2018 (date processed) |
| Georgia | Check with your financial aid administrator. |
| Guam | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required |
| Hawaii | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required |
| Idaho | Opportunity Grant – March 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. For priority consideration, submit an application by date specified. Additional forms may be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency. |
| Illinois | As soon as possible after October 1, 2018. Awards made until funds are depleted. |
| Indiana | March 10, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. |
| Iowa | July 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. Earlier priority deadlines may exist for certain programs. Additional forms may be required. |
| Kansas | April 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. For priority consideration, submit an application by date specified. Additional forms may be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency. |
| Kentucky | As soon as possible after October 1, 2017. Awards made until funds are depleted. |
| Louisiana | July 1, 2019 (July 1, 2018 recommended) |
| Maine | May 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. |
| Marshall Islands | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required |
| Maryland | March 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. |
| Massachusetts | May 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. For priority consideration, submit an application by date specified. |
| Michigan | March 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. |
| Minnesota | 30 days after term starts, by midnight, Central Time. |
| Mississippi | MTAG and MESG Grants – September 15, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. HELP Scholarship – March 31, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. |
| Missouri | February 1, 2018. For priority consideration, submit an application by date specified. Applications accepted through April 2, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. Awards made until funds are depleted. |
| Montana | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required. |
| N. Mariana Islands | April 30, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. For priority consideration, submit an application by date specified. Additional forms may be required. |
| Nebraska | Check with your financial aid administrator. |
| Nevada | Silver State Opportunity Grant – As soon as possible after October 1, 2017. Awards made until funds are depleted. All other aid – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required. |
| New Hampshire | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required. |
| New Jersey | 2017-2018 Tuition Aid Grant recipients – April 15, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. All other applicants – Fall and spring terms – September 15, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. – Spring term only – February 15, 2019 by midnight, Central Time. |
| New Mexico | Check with your financial aid administrator. |
| New York | June 30, 2019 by midnight, Central Time. Additional forms may be required. |
| North Carolina | As soon as possible after October 1, 2017. Awards made until funds are depleted. |
| North Dakota | As soon as possible after October 1, 2017. Awards made until funds are depleted. |
| Ohio | October 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. |
| Oklahoma | As soon as possible after October 1, 2017. Awards made until funds are depleted |
| Oregon | Deadlines vary by program. Visit OregonStudentAid.gov for more information or check with your financial aid administrator. |
| Palau | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required. |
| Pennsylvania | All first-time applicants enrolled in a: community college; business/trade/technical school; hospital school of nursing; designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institution; or non-transferable two-year program – August 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. All other applicants – May 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. Additional forms may be required. |
| Puerto Rico | Check with your financial aid administrator. |
| Rhode Island | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required. |
| South Carolina | Tuition Grants – June 30, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based Grants – As soon as possible after October 1, 2017. Awards made until funds are depleted. |
| South Dakota | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required. |
| Tennessee | State Grant – Prior-year recipients receive an award if eligible and apply by January 16, 2018. All other awards made to neediest applicants until funds are depleted. Tennessee Promise – January 16, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. State Lottery – Fall term, September 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time; spring and summer terms, February 1, 2019 by midnight, Central Time |
| Texas | As soon as possible after October 1, 2017. Texas public colleges – March 15, 2018. For priority consideration, submit an application by date specified. Additional forms may be required. Texas private colleges – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required |
| U.S Virgin Islands | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required. |
| Utah | Check with your financial aid administrator. |
| Vermont | As soon as possible after October 1, 2017. Awards made until funds are depleted. Additional forms may be required |
| Virginia | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required |
| Washington | As soon as possible after October 1, 2017. Awards made until funds are depleted. |
| West Virginia | PROMISE Scholarship – March 1, 2018. New applicants must submit an additional application at cfwv.com. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency. WV Higher Education Grant Program – April 15, 2018. |
| Wisconsin | Check with your financial aid administrator. |
| Wyoming | Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required |
Source: fafsa.ed.gov
