FAFSA Deadline Priority

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial step for American students seeking financial assistance for college.

While the federal deadline offers some amount of flexibility, understanding FAFSA deadline priority is necessary to increase your aid award. 

FAFSA Deadline Priority

The federal deadline for submitting your FAFSA is normally on June 30th of each year.

But this doesn’t guarantee you’ll receive the most financial aid.

Many colleges and states have their own priority deadlines, which significantly impact your financial aid package.

This is why FAFSA deadline priority matters:

  1. Limited Funds: Federal, state, and institutional financial aid is often awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Early FAFSA submission ensures you’re considered before funds run out.
  2. Scholarship Opportunities: Many colleges and universities offer scholarships with specific FAFSA filing deadlines. Missing these deadlines could mean missing out on valuable scholarship funds.
  3. Packaging Power: Completing the FAFSA early allows financial aid offices to create a more accurate and comprehensive financial aid package for you. This package may include grants, scholarships, work-study programs, and federal student loans.

What is the Best Time to Apply for Financial Aid?

The best time to apply for financial aid is generally as early as possible once submissions open. These are some of the main factors to consider:

  1. Federal FAFSA Deadline (June 30th): This is the absolute latest you can submit your FAFSA for the academic year. While you’ll still be considered for federal aid, some programs may have limited funds remaining by this point.
  2. State Deadlines: Each state has its own FAFSA deadline for state-specific grants and scholarships. These deadlines can be as early as February 15th, so check your state’s financial aid office website for specific information.
  3. College Deadlines: Most colleges have priority deadlines for FAFSA submission, commonly falling between January and March. Meeting these deadlines ensures you’re considered for all types of financial aid the college offers, including institutional grants and scholarships.
  4. Recommendation: To increase your financial aid opportunities, aim to submit your FAFSA by December 1st of the year preceding your desired enrollment date. This allows ample time for processing and ensures you meet most college and state priority deadlines.

FAFSA Deadlines

This is a quick summary of the different FAFSA deadlines to be aware of:

  1. Federal Deadline (June 30th): This is the latest for federal aid consideration.
  2. State Deadlines (Varies): Check your state’s financial aid office website for specific deadlines.
  3. College Deadlines (Typically January-March): Meeting these deadlines ensures consideration for all types of college financial aid.
  4. Recommendation: Aim for December 1st of the preceding year for optimal aid opportunities.