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When Is FAFSA Due? Important 2023-2024 Deadlines
Written by Coursera • Updated on
If you plan on attending a school in the US and want to qualify for financial assistance, you will need to file your FAFSA every year. Learn about key FAFSA dates.
There are many ways to pay for college in the United States, but one of the most important is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is operated through the US Department of Education. Each academic year, the deadlines for FAFSA remain relatively similar: Applications open on October 1 and close on June 30. Even with that window, it's a good idea to submit your FAFSA as early as possible because many schools distribute funding on a first-come, first-served basis.
In this article, we’ll go over key FAFSA deadlines here, as well as how to find your state’s and college’s respective deadlines, though you should consult the Department of Education’s resources for the most up-to-date information.
Key FAFSA deadlines
Each year, the FAFSA form for the following academic year becomes available on October 1. That means, if you plan on starting college in the fall of 2024, your FAFSA form will be available on October 1, 2023 and will be due on June 30, 2024 by 11:59 p.m. CT.
If you wish to qualify for financial assistance in the form of federal funding, grants, and scholarships, you must submit a FAFSA form every year you plan on attending college as an undergraduate student, graduate student, or professional student.However, once you've submitted your first FAFSA, you may be able to renew your application each year if your situation hasn't changed.
| Academic year | FAFSA available | FAFSA due |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | October 1, 2022 | June 30, 2023 |
| 2023-2024 | October 1, 2023 | June 30, 2024 |
Beyond the federal deadline, listed above, there are two other key FAFSA deadlines to consider when filling out your form: college and state.
College FAFSA deadline
Each college or university has a different financial aid deadline, though many tend to align with FAFSA’s deadline. You can find yours by looking at the financial aid page of your school’s website: Conduct an internet search for your school’s name and “financial aid” to help you find that resource. Many financial aid pages also list contact information if you have questions the website doesn’t answer.
The financial aid page is usually also the best place to find your school’s Federal Student Code, so your information will be forwarded to the appropriate school for consideration. If you can’t find it, search for your school’s name and “FAFSA code.”
FAFSA for incoming freshmen
Submitting your FAFSA form the year before you plan to attend college can be a bit confusing, because a school will only consider you for aid once you’re an admitted student. But most colleges recommend applying for FAFSA even before you’ve been accepted so that your information is on-hand by the time you hear about an admissions decision.
State FAFSA deadline
The last deadline to be aware of is your state’s FAFSA deadline. FAFSA.gov provides a list of state deadlines, which also include Canadian provinces and US territories. As with federal student aid, many states have limited funds and hand out assistance on a first-come, first served basis.
You do not need to apply directly to your state to qualify for aid. Instead, you need to submit your FAFSA by June 30.
Types of financial aid
FAFSA simplifies the process of applying for financial aid by allowing you to apply for several different types at once. With one form, you’ll be considered for grants, loans, work study jobs, and more:
Grants are aid that you don’t have to pay back as long as you successfully finish your degree. There are a number of grants available through FAFSA, including Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, TEACH Grants, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants.
Scholarships are also awards that you don’t need to pay back, but they tend to be merit-based or intended for certain groups of people, rather than for students with financial need.
Work study jobs are part-time jobs available to enrolled undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. In exchange for your labor, you’ll earn income to help cover some or most of your educational expenses.
Federal student loans usually feature a lower interest rate than private loans and come with some benefits, such as flexible repayment plans like income-based repayment (IBR). The amount of money you’re allowed to borrow each year depends on what year you are in school, whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student, and your dependency tax status.
The types of aid and the amount of aid you get will depend on your financial situation. Once you've accepted admission at the school of your choice, you should receive a letter detailing what aid you will receive.
Learn more: Jobs to Pay for College
Financial aid for international and trade schools
FAFSA recognizes some international schools. That means if you're a US citizen or eligible non-citizen who plans on studying abroad, you may qualify for student aid to help you cover the cost of your program. You can find a list of participating schools on FAFSA.gov.
FAFSA can also be used to obtain financial aid for trade schools and even some online degree programs. If you have questions about whether a program or school is eligible, it’s best to contact their financial aid office or a representative to learn more.
What do I need to submit my FAFSA form?
Whether you’re applying via desktop or mobile app, you’ll first need to create a FSA ID by entering your name and social security number. After creating your ID, you can fill out your application online at FAFSA.gov, apply via the myStudentAid app, or fill out a paper version and mail it in for processing.
Required FAFSA documents
If you are considered a dependent student, you will need to report both your financial information as well as your parent’s financial information. However, if you are an independent student, you will only need to report your financial information. Below, we’ve detailed the required and non-essential but sometimes requested information you will need to include on your FAFSA.
To fill out your application, you’ll need to gather the following:
Required
Social security number or alien registration number (if you’re not a US citizen)
Federal tax returns, W2s, and any other documentation about your income
If applicable
Bank statements and records of investments
Records of untaxed income
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Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
It’s best to apply as close to the opening date, October 1, as possible. Federal Student Aid, the government provider of student financial assistance in the US, hands out grants, loans, and more on a “first-come, first-served” basis, meaning there’s more money to work with at the very start of a new FAFSA cycle. Submitting early may mean you receive more assistance, especially in the form of grants—or money you won’t need to pay back as long as you finish your degree.
Learn more about what you need to submit below, and plan to have your FAFSA materials ready to go by the first available date for the next academic year.
FAFSA applies to one single academic year, meaning you’ll need to resubmit your FAFSA every year you plan to attend college as an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student.
However, after you’ve filled out the form for the first time, renewing should be easier. After logging into your account, much of your information from the prior year will automatically populate on your new FAFSA application. You will need to update your income and tax information, along with any other personal information that has changed.
As a college student in the US, you are not required to submit a FAFSA form if you have another way to pay for your education, but doing so may help you qualify for a number of financial assistant resources, such as grants or work study programs. Your college may also use the information you provide on FAFSA to determine whether you qualify for any scholarships or grants they have to disburse.
If you want to receive student financial aid, you will need to attend an accredited college or university. That means your institution has been vetted by an independent agency approved by the US Department of Education for certain quality standards. Double check whether your school is accredited through the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Instutions and Programs.
Read more: What Is Accreditation? Guide to Accreditation and Alternatives
Written by Coursera • Updated on
This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.
FAQs
When should I complete FAFSA for 2023-2024? ›
2023–24 Academic Year
The FAFSA form must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on June 30, 2024. Any corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept.
A: Yes, you will be considered and should apply every year in order to determine what you are eligible for.
What do you need for 2023-2024 FAFSA? ›Information you'll need to fill out the FAFSA:
Your federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other records of money earned. Your parents income tax returns, W-2 forms and 1040 forms if you're a dependent. Bank statements and records of investments (if applicable). Records of untaxed income (if applicable).
Streamlining the FAFSA® Form
The FAFSA Simplification Act also removes questions about Selective Service registration and drug convictions. It also adds questions about applicants' sex, race, and ethnicity, which have no effect on federal student aid eligibility (starting with the 2023–24 award year).
Some states and colleges continue to award aid to FAFSA latecomers, but your chances get much slimmer, and the payout is often lower. If you miss the end-of-June federal deadline, you're no longer eligible to submit that year's FAFSA form.
How many questions are on the 2023 2024 FAFSA? ›These FAFSA Changes include: The application will only have, at most, 36 questions, down from 108. The Student Aid Index (SAI) is being replaced with the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which will help students and their families make better sense of their award letters.
Is the FAFSA changing in 2024? ›Along with the launch in December of a simplified Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to request financial help for the 2024-25 year, the Department of Education is also changing its formula to determine who will qualify for aid and how much they'll receive.
What color is 2023 2024 FAFSA? ›Yellow (2023-2024)
How much can a student earn before affecting financial aid 2023 2024? ›For tax filers, use the parents' adjusted gross income from the tax return to determine if income is $49,999 or less. For non-tax filers, use the income shown on the 2021 W-2 forms of both parents (plus any other earnings from work not included on the W-2s) to determine if income is $49,999 or less.
Do you need to complete the 2023 2024 FAFSA to ensure ongoing eligibility for promise program? ›Yes. Our Promise Program does not have income requirements at this time. To be eligible, students must submit the 2023-2024 FAFSA or the Dream Act application.
What is the question 81 on the FAFSA? ›
This is question 81 on the FAFSA. The response indicates the adjusted gross income (AGI) reported on the student's parents' 2021 income tax return. If the student's parents are “married/remarried” and filed a joint tax return, or are single, the AGI can be found on IRS Form 1040-line 11.
What is the question 69 on the FAFSA? ›69. How many people are in your parents' household? other people if they now live with your parents, your parents provide more than half of their support and your parents will continue to provide more than half of their support between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024.
What is the EFC for the Pell Grant for 2023 2024? ›The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2023-2024 award year is $7,395, and the corresponding maximum Pell Grant eligible expected family contribution (EFC) is 6656.
What is a common mistake to avoid when filing your FAFSA? ›You'll have a better chance at receiving money for college if you avoid several common mistakes when filling out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Such mistakes include not completing the form on time, not filling it out correctly, or forgetting to sign and submit.
What is a priority deadline for FAFSA? ›The federal government gives students a deadline of June 30 after the school year in which they need aid — for instance, June 30, 2023, for the 2022-23 school year or June 30, 2024, for the 2023-24 school year — to file the FAFSA.
What happens if you skip questions on FAFSA? ›Based on your answers to certain questions on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, you may be given the option to skip additional questions. If you're given the option to skip questions, keep in mind that doing so won't affect your eligibility for federal student aid.
Can you skip parent financials on FAFSA? ›If you're an independent student, you don't need to provide parental information and may skip the questions about parent household and finances. Note: Some colleges may require an independent student to provide parental information.
What is the question 86 on the FAFSA? ›What is the net worth of your parents' investments? This is question 86 on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) PDF. The net worth of your parents' current investments is the amount left over after deducting the debt from the value of each investment as of the day you submit your FAFSA form.
What affects FAFSA the most? ›Your eligibility depends on your Expected Family Contribution, your year in school, your enrollment status, and the cost of attendance at the school you will be attending. The financial aid office at your college or career school will determine how much financial aid you are eligible to receive.
When can I complete the FAFSA for fall 2023? ›To be considered for federal student aid for the 2023–24 award year, you can complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form between Oct. 1, 2022, and 11:59 p.m. Central time (CT) on June 30, 2024. Any FAFSA form corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on Sept.
How is the EFC calculated for 2023 2024? ›
Calculation of student's EFC
The student's EFC is determined by adding the student and spouse's contribution from available income to their contribution from assets and then dividing the sum by the number in college in 2023-2024, as reported on the FAFSA form.
Students selected for verification of their FAFSA form may wonder, “Does FAFSA check your bank accounts?” FAFSA does not directly view the student's or parent's bank accounts.
What is the 67% rule for FAFSA? ›Divide your Successfully Completed Credit Hours by your Attempted Credit Hours. If the resulting percentage is 67% or greater, then you have met the 67% Completion Standard for financial aid. Example: 19 Successfully Completed Hours ÷ 27 Attempted Credit Hours = . 703 or 70% (Note: Do not round numbers up or down.)
What is the line 93 on the FAFSA? ›This is question 93 on the FAFSA. The response indicates the total number of people in the student's household in 2022-2023.
What is question 93 on FAFSA? ›How to answer this question / fill out this section. You will want to list the number of people living in your household/home, beginning with yourself, and any other siblings or relatives for whom your parent(s) pay for 50% or more of their financial support.
What is the 88 question on the FAFSA? ›The FAFSA asks about your parent's / parents' additional financial information as a way to gather any relevant earnings or payments that would not show up on a Federal tax return.
What is question 52 on FAFSA? ›52. At any time since you turned age 13, were both your parents deceased, were you in foster care, or were you a dependent or ward of the court? You should answer ―Yes if you. • had no living parent (biological or adoptive) at any time since you turned age 13 or.
What is question 47 on FAFSA? ›Question 47 on the 2022-2023 FAFSA asks, “At the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year, will you be working on a master's or doctorate program (such as an MA, MBA, MD, JD, PhD, EdD, graduate certificate, etc.?” The answer to this question should always be no.
What is the maximum FAFSA limit for 2023? ›The maximum Federal Pell Grant for 2023–24 (July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024) will be $7,395. The amount an individual student may receive depends on a number of factors.
Can you get financial aid if you make 100k? ›There is no set income limit for eligibility to qualify for financial aid through. You'll need to fill out the FAFSA every year to see what you qualify for at your college. It's important to make sure you fill out the FAFSA as quickly as possible once it opens on October 1st for the following school year.
How much can a student earn before affecting FAFSA 2023? ›
For the 2023-2024 FAFSA, up to $7,600 of a dependent student's income is protected — and thus not considered in the EFC. For parents, the income protection allowance depends on the number of people in the household and the number of students in college.
What year should class of 2023 apply for FAFSA? ›If you're applying for financial aid for the 2023–24 school year (typically July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024), you should file a 2023–24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Contact your school to verify what award year you should apply for, especially if you're attending school during the summer.
Does the 2023 class need to be in FAFSA? ›For example, if you're applying for financial aid for the 2023‒24 school year, submit the 2023‒24 FAFSA form. If you plan to take summer classes, contact your college's financial aid office to determine which FAFSA form you should submit.
What semester does FAFSA 2023 cover? ›...
For what school year are you applying for student aid?
| If you plan to attend school | You need to |
|---|---|
| between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, | submit the 2023–24 FAFSA form |
| between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, | submit the 2022–23 FAFSA form |
Students and families who fill out the FAFSA for the 2023-24 school year will see some of the changes already in effect. The Selective Service registration — which required male students under 26 to enroll in the draft — was removed as part of the FAFSA Simplification Act and hasn't been on the form since 2021.
How long does it take for FAFSA to process? ›If you submitted your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form online, we'll process your form within three to five days. If you submitted a paper FAFSA form, your form will be processed within 7 to 10 days.
What disqualifies you from getting FAFSA? ›Incarceration, misdemeanors, arrests, and more serious crimes can all affect a student's aid. Smaller offenses won't necessarily cut off a student from all aid, but it will limit the programs they qualify for as well as the amount of aid they could receive. Larger offenses can disqualify a student entirely.
What GPA does FAFSA require? ›To be eligible for federal student aid and college financial aid, a student must be making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). This generally consists of maintaining at least a 2.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (i.e., at least a C average) and passing enough classes with progress toward a degree.