When is the FAFSA deadline for 2023-24?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) starts accepting applications every Oct. 1 and is due June 30 of the award year, although schools and states have their own deadlines. The deadline is important, but the opening date is arguably more so. The sooner you apply, the more financial aid you can receive.

Here’s what you need to know about FAFSA deadlines for 2023 and beyond.

When is the FAFSA due?

The FAFSA deadline for the 2022-23 academic year is June 30, 2023, while the deadline for the 2023-24 academic year is June 30, 2024.

If you wait until the deadline to submit your application, though, you’ll miss out on financial aid for the fall and spring semesters. You would only be able to receive aid for summer classes in this instance.

Additionally, some aid is given on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that if you apply soon after the Oct. 1 opening date, you may be able to receive more aid based on your expected family contribution (EFC). Additionally, many states and colleges have their own application deadlines for aid, so if you wait too long to file your FAFSA, you could miss out on state and college financial aid opportunities.

If you want to get a head start on financial aid for the 2023-24 school year, the opening date for the FAFSA is Oct. 1, 2022.

State and institutional FAFSA deadlines

Many states have their own scholarships and grants for local students attending an in-state college. These forms of aid are often limited, which is why it’s best to fill out the FAFSA sooner rather than later. These deadlines are also often earlier than the general FAFSA deadline.

For individual school deadlines, reach out to your college’s financial aid office. Here are the deadlines for each state for the 2023-24 school year:

For some programs, additional forms may be required. For specific details about your state’s deadline requirements, head to the Department of Education’s website.

Why you should file your FAFSA early

Many university-based scholarships and state grants are only available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you wait too long to fill out the FAFSA, that money could be long gone.

Also, the sooner you apply, the sooner you’ll get your financial aid award letter from the university. If you haven’t filled out the FAFSA, the college can’t tell you how much financial aid you qualify for. If you’re an incoming freshman, this could make it harder to decide which college to attend.

Can I make changes to the FAFSA after I’ve applied?

You can change some details of your FAFSA if needed, even after the initial federal deadline — for the 2022-23 academic year, you’ll have until Sept. 9, 2023, to make those adjustments. This includes changes to your personal details, contact information or dependency status. You may also want to contact the schools you’ve applied to and inform them that you’ve updated the FAFSA.

If you used the wrong Social Security number (SSN) on the form, you’ll have to either complete a new form from scratch or contact each school you submitted the FAFSA to and ask them to update the SSN. You can also change it by mail, but that process takes several weeks to complete.

Details that you can’t change are financial details, such as savings account balances. If you expect extreme financial hardship like bankruptcy or permanent income loss and that information isn’t detailed on your FAFSA, you can send a financial aid appeal letter to a representative from your college’s financial aid office.

What to do if you miss a FAFSA deadline

If you miss the deadline for the current academic year, reach out to your school’s financial aid office to see what your options may be. Some colleges may be flexible with financial aid, even for students who don’t get their FAFSA in on time.

Other potential options include:

1. Apply for other scholarships: College grants and federal loans aren’t the only types of financial aid available. Look for scholarships from third-party companies and organizations. There are several scholarship search engines you can use to find opportunities.
2. Ask for help: If your parents or other loved ones have the means, they may be able to help you pay for the current school year. Just be sure to submit your FAFSA on time for the upcoming school year to avoid running into the same problem.
3. Consider private student loans: While the FAFSA is required to qualify for federal student loans, you can apply for private student loans without it. Before doing so, calculate how much money you would need to borrow and what your monthly payment would look like when you start repayment. You may also need a parent to co-sign your loans.
4. Find a part- or full-time job: While it’s not always ideal to work while you’re in school, that income can help you pay for your college education without needing to resort to borrowing money.
5. Consider a community college: The cost of a four-year university can be prohibitive if you don’t have access to financial aid. But if you’re just starting your college career, it can be helpful to attend a community college and save money while you complete some of your general coursework.

Take your time to consider all of your options before proceeding with any one of them, and make it a priority to submit your FAFSA for the next year as soon as it opens.