Federal FAFSA Deadlines
You can file a FAFSA for the 2016-2017 school year between January 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017. Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time on June 30, 2017. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by midnight Central Time on September 17, 2017.
However, if you’re applying to college this year, you should submit your FAFSA in early 2016 to meet state and college deadlines and to maximize the amount of aid you can receive.
Starting next year, you’ll be able to file the FAFSA as early as October for the following year. We’ll have to wait and see whether states and colleges change their deadlines in response to this recent development. For the purposes of this article, I’ll be focusing on the deadlines to receive financial aid for the 2016-2017 academic year.
State Deadlines FAFSA Deadlines
FAFSA deadlines vary for each state to be eligible for state-sponsored financial aid. Generally, state deadlines have remained the same from year to year. A number of states ask you to submit your FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st. Then, financial aid is awarded until the state funds are depleted. Therefore, it’s essential to submit your FAFSA early if you live in one of these states.
Below I have listed all of the state deadlines for the FAFSA for the 2015-2016 school year. As I previously mentioned, these deadlines tend to stay the same. This information was taken directly from the FAFSA website.
Alabama – Check with your financial aid administrator
Alaska – Alaska Performance Scholarship- June 30th
Arizona – Check with your financial aid administrator
Arkansas – Arkansas Challenge- June 1st by midnight Central Time. Workforce Grant- Check with your financial aid administrator. Higher Education Opportunity Grant- June 1st by midnight Central Time
California- For many state financial aid programs- March 2nd- date postmarked. Cal Grant also requires submission of a school certified GPA by March 2nd. 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 2nd – date postmarked. If you are a non-citizen holding a Social Security card issued through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or for some other work authorization, you should fill out the California Dream Act Application found at www.caldreamact.org. Do NOT fill out a FAFSA. Contact the California Student Aid Commission (www.csac.ca.gov) or your financial aid administrator for more information.
Colorado – Check with your financial aid administrator
Connecticut – February 15th. For priority consideration, submit application by date specified. Additional form may be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency.
Delaware – April 15th by midnight Central Time
District of Columbia- FAFSA completed by April 1st. For DCTAG, complete the DCOneApp and submit supporting documents by April 30th.
Florida – May 15th- date processed
Georgia – Check with your financial aid administrator
Guam – Check with your financial aid administrator. Reminder that additional form may be required
Hawaii – Check with your financial aid administrator. Reminder that additional form may be required
Idaho – Opportunity Grant- March 1st by midnight, Central Time. For priority consideration, submit application by date specified. Additional form may be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or state agency.
Illinois – As soon as possible after January 1st. Awards made until funds are depleted.
Indiana – March 10th by midnight, Central Time
Iowa – July 1st by midnight, Central Time. Earlier priority deadlines may exist for certain programs. Additional form may be required.
Kansas – April 1st by midnight, Central Time. For priority consideration, submit application by date specified. Additional form may be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency.
Kentucky – As soon as possible after January 1st. Awards are made until funds are depleted.
Louisiana – July 1st recommended
Maine – May 1st by midnight, Central Time
Marshall Islands – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional form may be required.
Maryland – March 1st by midnight, Central Time
Massachusetts – May 1st by midnight, Central Time. For priority consideration, submit application by date specified.
Michigan – March 1st by midnight, Central Time
Minnesota – 30 days after term starts by midnight, Central Time
Mississippi – MTAG and MESG Grants- September 15th by midnight, Central Time. HELP Scholarship- March 31st by midnight, Central Time.
Missouri- April 1st by midnight, Central Time
Montana – March 1st by midnight, Central Time. For priority consideration, submit application by date specified.
Nebraska – Check with your financial aid administrator
Nevada – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional form may be required
New Hampshire – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional form may be required
New Jersey – Tuition Aid Grant recipients- June 1st by midnight, Central Time. All other applicants- October 1st by midnight, Central Time for fall and spring terms; March 1st by midnight, Central Time, for spring term only.
New Mexico – Check with your financial aid administrator
New York – June 30th by midnight, Central Time. Additional Form may be required
North Carolina As soon as possible after January 1st. Awards made until funds are depleted.
North Dakota April 15th by midnight, Central Time. For priority consideration, submit application by date specified. Earlier priority deadlines may exist for institutional programs.
N. Mariana Islands
Check with your financial aid administrator
Additional form may be required
Ohio – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional form may be required
Oklahoma – March 1st by midnight, Central Time. For priority consideration, submit application by date specified.
Oregon – OSAC Private Scholarships- March 1st. Oregon Opportunity Grant- As soon as possible after January 1st. Awards made until funds are depleted.
Palau – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional form 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 1st by midnight, Central Time. All other applicants- May 1st by midnight, Central Time
Puerto Rico – Check with your financial aid administrator
Rhode Island – March 1st by midnight, Central Time. For priority consideration, submit application by date specified.
South Carolina – Tuition Grants- June 30th by midnight, Central Time. SC Commission on Higher Education Need-Based Grants- As soon as possible after January 1st. Awards made until funds are depleted.
South Dakota – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional form may be required
Tennessee – State Grant- Prior-year recipients receive award if eligible and apply by March 1st. All other awards made to neediest applicants until funds are depleted. State Lottery- fall term, September 1st by midnight, Central Time; spring and summer terms, February 1st by midnight, Central Time
Texas – Check with your financial aid administrator
US Virgin Islands – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional form may be required
Utah – Check with your financial aid administrator
Vermont – As soon as possible after January 1st. Awards made until funds are depleted. Additional form may be required.
Virginia – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional form may be required
Washington – As soon as possible after January 1st. Awards made until funds are depleted.
West Virginia – PROMISE Scholarship- March 1st. New applicants must submit additional information at www.cfwv.com . Contact your financial aid administrator or state agency. WV Higher Education Grant Program- April 15th
Wisconsin – Check with your financial aid administrator
Wyoming – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional form may be required
