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On October 1, the FAFSA became available to students everywhere, marking the official start of financial aid season. Just like college applications, financial aid forms have their own set of deadlines.
The FAFSA is unique in that it has a life cycle of 18 months. That means the FAFSA that you will use for the 2019 – 2020 academic year technically doesn’t need to be completed until June 30, 2020. If you want to qualify for federal financial aid, you’ll have to complete the form before that deadline.
However – and this is a big however – the FAFSA is also used to help determine how much financial aid you’ll receive from your state. Most states offer financial aid on a first-come, first-serve basis; which means that if you want to qualify for the most financial aid you can, you’ll need to file the FAFSA as soon as possible rather than wait until the final federal deadline.
In sum, it’s best to complete the FAFSA before your state’s deadline. Below are the deadlines for each one:
States from A-D
- Alabama — Check with your financial aid administrator.
- Alaska — AK Education Grant – ASAP after October 1, 2018. AK Performance Scholarship - due June 30, 2019. Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
- Arizona — Check with your financial aid administrator.
- Arkansas — Academic Challenge – June 1, 2019 by midnight, CST, (date received). Workforce Grant - check with your financial aid administrator. Higher Education Opportunity Grant - June 1, 2019 by midnight, CST, (date received).
- California — For many state financial aid programs, date postmarked must be March 2, 2019. Additional community college Cal grants must be postmarked by September 2, 2019. Notes: You’re also encouraged to obtain proof of mailing and additional forms may apply. 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 dream.csac.ca.gov, NOT a FAFSA form.
- Colorado — Check with your financial aid administrator.
- Connecticut — February 15, 2019 (date received) Notes: For priority consideration, submit application by the specified date. You’re also encouraged to obtain proof of mailing and additional forms may apply. Contact your financial aid administrator or state agency for additional information.
- Delaware — April 15, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received).
- District of Columbia — FAFSA completed by May 1, 2019 (date received). For DCTAG, complete the DC OneApp and submit supporting documents by May 31, 2019.
- Florida — May 15, 2019
- Georgia — Check with your financial aid administrator.
- Hawaii — Check with you financial aid administrator. Notes: You may need to fill out an additional form.
- Idaho — Opportunity Grant - March 1, 2019 (date received) by midnight, CST. Notes: For priority consideration, submit application by the specified date. Also, an additional form may be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or state agency for additional information.
- Illinois — ASAP after October 1, 2018. Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
- Indiana — ASAP after October 1, 2018. Adult Student Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2018. Awards are made until funds are depleted. New applicants must submit additional forms at ScholarTrack. Workforce Ready Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2018. Frank O'Bannon Grant: April 15, 2019, by midnight CST. 21st Century Scholarship: April 15, 2019, by midnight CST.
- Iowa — July 1, 2019 by midnight, CST. Notes: Earlier priority deadlines may apply for certain programs and an additional form may be required.
- Kansas — April 1, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received). Notes: For priority consideration, submit application by the specified date. Also, an additional form may be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or state agency for additional information.
- Kentucky — ASAP after October 1, 2018. Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
- Louisiana — July 1, 2020 Notes: Turning it in by July 1, 2019 is highly recommended.
- Maine — May 1, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received).
- Maryland — March 1, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received).
- Massachusetts — May 1, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received). Notes: For priority consideration, submit application by the specified date.
- Michigan — March 1, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received).
- Minnesota — 30 days after term starts (by midnight CST) (date received).
- Mississippi — MTAG and MESG Grants – October 15, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received). HELP Scholarship – April 30, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received).
- Missouri — February 1, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received).
- Montana — Check with your financial aid administrator.
- Nebraska — Check with your financial aid administrator.
- Nevada — Silver State Opportunity Grant -- As soon as possible after October 1, 2018. Nevada Promise Scholarship: April 1, 2019. Check with your financial aid administrator. Notes: An additional form may be required.
- New Hampshire — Check with your financial aid administrator. Notes: An additional form may be required.
- New Jersey — 2018 – 2019 Tuition Aid Grant recipients – April 15, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received). All other applications – September 15, 2019 by midnight, CST for fall and spring terms (date received). February 15, 2020 by midnight, CST for spring term only (date received).
- New Mexico — Check with your financial aid administrator.
- New York — June 30, 2020 by midnight, CST (date received). Notes: An additional form may be required.
- North Carolina — ASAP after October 1, 2018. Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
- North Dakota — ASAP after October 1, 2018. Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
- Ohio — October 1, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received) Notes: An additional form may be required.
- Oklahoma — ASAP after October 1, 2018 by midnight, CST (date received). Notes: Awards are made until funds are depleted.
- Oregon — OSAC Private Scholarships - March 1, 2019. Oregon Opportunity Grant – ASAP after October 1, 2018. Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
- Pennsylvania — All first-time applicants at a community college; a business/trade/technical school; a hospital school of nursing; or enrolled in a non-transferable two-year program – August 1, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received). All other applicants – May 1, 2019 by midnight, CST (date received).
- Rhode Island — Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required.
- South Carolina — Tuition Grants - June 30, 2019 (date received). SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based Grants - ASAP after October 1, 2018. Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
- South Dakota — Check with your financial aid administrator. An additional form may be required.
- Tennessee — For State Grant – February 1, 2019 (see notes for details) For State Lottery – fall term, September 1, 2019 by midnight CST (date received); spring & summer terms, February 1, 2020 by midnight, CST (date received). Notes: Prior-year recipients of State Grant will receive an award, if eligible. All other awards are given to neediest applicants who have met the February 1, 2019 deadline until funds are depleted.
- Texas — ASAP after October 1, 2018.
- Utah — Check with your financial aid administrator.
- Vermont — ASAP after October 1, 2018. Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted. An additional form may be required.
- Virginia— Check with your financial aid administrator. Notes: An additional form may be required.
- Washington— ASAP after October 1, 2018. Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
- West Virginia — PROMISE Scholarship – March 1, 2019. New applicants must submit an additional application, available at CFWV.com. Contact your financial aid administrator or state agency for additional information. WV Higher Education Grant Program - April 15, 2019.
- Wisconsin — Check with your financial aid administrator.
- Wyoming — Check with your financial aid administrator. Notes: An additional form may be required.
- All Other U.S. Territories — Check with your financial aid administrator or state agency for details.
Need more FAFSA help? Find everything you need to help you file for financial aid here on Fastweb.
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Kathryn Knight Randolph
Associate Content Editor
Kathryn Knight Randolph is the Associate Content Editor at Fastweb. She has 17 years of higher education experience, working first as an Admissions Officer at DePauw University before joining Fastweb. In b...
