How will you pay for college? That’s a question on a lot of high school students’ minds.
A majority of college students qualify for financial aid. The first step in securing it is completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This important legal document will be used by federal and state governments and colleges to determine your eligibility for different types of aid. It’s imperative that you don’t miss key dates, so we’ve listed all the federal and state deadlines, as well as information about the next steps.
The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal aid, as well as your state and college aid in most cases. It’s essentially a legal contract between you and the government saying you’ll apply the award toward your education.
After submitting it, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) detailing aspects of your award like your Expected Family Contribution or the amount your family will be expected to pay toward your education. Most students’ financial aid awards are a combination of federal grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.
For the students planning to start college in the 2022-2023 academic year, the federal deadline for submitting the FAFSA is June 30, 2023 (June 30, 2024, for the following academic year). Corrections or updates must be submitted by September 11, 2023 (September 10, 2024, for the 2023-2024 academic year). All deadlines are at 11:59 pm CT.
Bear in mind, however, that most colleges have individual deadlines for completing the FAFSA. In many cases, they will advise you to do so as soon as possible. Check with any college to which you’re applying for deadlines.
State
2021–2022 Academic Year Deadlines
Alabama
Check with your financial aid administrator.
Alaska
Alaska Education Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. Awards are made until funds are depleted.
Alaska Performance Scholarship: For priority consideration, submit your application by June 30, 2022.
Alberta
There is no state (or province) deadline for Alberta.
American Samoa
Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required.
Arizona
Check with your financial aid administrator.
Arkansas
Academic Challenge: July 1, 2022, by midnight Central time (CT).
ArFuture Grant (fall term): July 1, 2022, by midnight CT.
ArFuture Grant (spring term): Jan. 10, 2023, by midnight CT.
British Columbia
There is no state (or province) deadline for British Columbia.
California
For many state financial aid programs: March 2, 2022 (date postmarked). Cal Grant also requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2022.
For additional community college Cal Grants: Sept. 2, 2022 (date postmarked).
If you’re a noncitizen without a Social Security card or had one issued through the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, you should fill out the California Dream Act Application at dream.csac.ca.gov. Contact the California Student Aid Commission at csac.ca.gov or your financial aid administrator for more information.
Colorado
Check with your financial aid administrator.
Connecticut
For priority consideration, submit your application on Feb. 15, 2022, by midnight CT. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency. Additional forms may be required.
Delaware
April 15, 2022, by midnight CT.
District of Columbia
For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA form by Aug. 19, 2022.
For the DC Tuition Assistance Grant, complete the DC OneApp and submit supporting documents by Aug. 26, 2022, to receive priority consideration.
Federated States of Micronesia
Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms might be required.
Florida
Processed May 15, 2022.
Georgia
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required. Visit GAfutures.org for additional information.
Guam
Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required.
Hawaii
Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required.
Idaho
Opportunity Scholarship: For priority consideration, submit your application on March 1, 2022, by midnight Central time. Additional forms may be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency.
Illinois
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. Visit isac.org for the Monetary Award Program renewal deadline; awards are made until funds are depleted.
Indiana
Adult Student Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. Awards are made until funds are depleted. New applicants must submit additional forms at ScholarTrack.IN.gov.
Workforce Ready Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021.
Frank O’Bannon Grant: April 15, 2022, by midnight CT.
21st Century Scholarship: April 15, 2022, by midnight CT.
Iowa
July 1, 2022, by midnight CT. Earlier priority deadlines may exist for certain programs. Additional forms may be required.
Kansas
For priority consideration, submit your application on April 1, 2022, by midnight Central time. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency. Additional forms may be required.
Kentucky
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. Awards are made until funds are depleted.
Louisiana
July 1, 2023 (Feb. 1, 2022, recommended).
Maine
May 1, 2022, by midnight CT.
Manitoba
There is no state (or province) deadline for Manitoba.
Marshall Islands
Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms might be required.
Maryland
March 1, 2022, by midnight CT.
Massachusetts
For priority consideration, submit your application on May 1, 2022, by midnight CT.
Michigan
March 1, 2022, by midnight CT.
Minnesota
30 days after term starts, by midnight CT.
Mississippi
MTAG and MESG Grants: Oct. 15, 2022, by midnight CT.
HELP Grant: April 30, 2022, by midnight CT
Missouri
For priority consideration, submit your application by Feb. 1, 2022. Applications are accepted through April 1, 2022, by midnight CT.
Montana
For priority consideration, submit your application by Dec. 1, 2021. Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required.
Northern Mariana Islands
For priority consideration, submit your application on April 30, 2022, by midnight CT. Additional forms may be required.
Nebraska
Check with your financial aid administrator.
Nevada
Silver State Opportunity Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. Awards are made until funds are depleted.
Nevada Promise Scholarship: March 1, 2022; additional forms may be required. Awards are made until funds are depleted.
All other aid: Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required.
New Brunswick
There is no state (or province) deadline for New Brunswick.
New Hampshire
Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required.
New Jersey
Renewal applicants (2021–22 Tuition Aid Grant recipients): April 15, 2022, by midnight CT.
All other applicants for the fall and spring terms on Sept. 15, 2022, by midnight CT. All other applicants for spring term only on Feb. 15, 2023, by midnight CT.
New Mexico
Check with your financial aid administrator.
New York
June 30, 2023, by midnight Central time. Additional forms may be required.
Newfoundland
There is no state (or province) deadline for Newfoundland.
Newfoundland/Labrador
There is no state (or province) deadline for Newfoundland/Labrador.
North Carolina
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. Awards are made until funds are depleted.
North Dakota
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. Awards are made until funds are depleted.
Northwest Territories
There is no state (or province) deadline for Northwest Territories.
Nova Scotia
There is no state (or province) deadline for Nova Scotia.
Nunavut
There is no state (or province) deadline for Nunavut.
Ohio
Oct. 1, 2022, by midnight CT.
Oklahoma
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. Awards are made until funds are depleted.
Ontario
There is no state (or province) deadline for Ontario.
Oregon
Oregon Opportunity Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. Awards are made until funds are depleted.
OSAC Private Scholarships: March 1, 2022; additional forms may be required.
Oregon Promise Grant: Contact your state agency. Additional forms may be required.
Palau
Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms may be required.
Pennsylvania
All first-time applicants enrolled in a community college; business, trade, or technical school; hospital school of nursing; designated Pennsylvania open-admission institution; or nontransferable two-year program: Aug. 1, 2022, by midnight CT.
All other applicants: May 1, 2022, by midnight CT. Additional forms may be required.
Prince Edward Island
There is no state (or province) deadline for Prince Edward Island.
Puerto Rico
Check with your financial aid administrator.
Quebec
There is no state (or province) deadline for Quebec (QC).
Rhode Island
Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms might be required.
Saskatchewan
There is no state (or province) deadline for Saskatchewan.
South Carolina
SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based Grants: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. Awards are made until funds are depleted.
Tuition Grants: June 30, 2022, by midnight Central time.
South Dakota
Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms might be required.
Tennessee
State Grant: Prior-year recipients receive awards if eligible and apply by Feb. 1, 2022. All other awards are made to the neediest applicants. Awards are made until funds are depleted.
Tennessee Promise: Feb. 1, 2022, by midnight Central time (CT).
State Lottery for the fall term: Sept. 1, 2022, by midnight CT.
State Lottery for the spring and summer terms: Feb. 1, 2023, by midnight CT.
Texas
For priority consideration, submit your application by Jan. 15, 2022. Additional forms may be required. Private and two-year institutions may have different deadlines. Check with your financial aid administrator.
U.S. Virgin Islands
Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms might be required.
Utah
Check with your financial aid administrator. Awards are made until funds are depleted. Additional forms may be required.
Vermont
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. Awards are made until funds are depleted. Additional forms may be required.
Virginia
Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms might be required.
Washington
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021.
Students ineligible for federal student aid but who meet state financial aid program and residency requirements should complete the Washington Application for State Financial Aid at wsac.wa.gov/wasfa instead of the FAFSA form. Contact the Washington Student Achievement Council at wasfa@wsac.wa.gov or your financial aid administrator for more information.
West Virginia
PROMISE Scholarship: March 1, 2022. New applicants must complete and submit the additional form at cfwv.com. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency.
WV Higher Education Grant: April 15, 2022.
WV Invests Grant: For priority consideration, submit your application by April 15, 2022.
Wisconsin
Check with your financial aid administrator.
Wyoming
Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms might be required.
Yukon
There is no state deadline (or province) for Yukon.
You can check the status of your FAFSA online at fafsa.gov or on the myStudentAid app. Generally speaking, it takes 3-5 days to process your application, although it could take a bit longer, especially if you submitted your forms by mail. If you see that your application is marked “Processed Successfully,” you don’t need to do anything else. You may also find that further action is required, in which case you’ll need to contact your school.
Review your SAR, which you should receive three days to three weeks after submitting your FAFSA. If you notice any errors, be sure to correct them as soon as possible (online or by mail). This report contains your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and other information, but it won’t tell you about the specific awards you’ll receive from individual colleges.
The schools you list on your FAFSA to which you’re accepted will send you an award letter informing you of your aid eligibility. The timing of these letters depends on the individual college. Ultimately, you’ll compare offers while deciding which college to attend. In some cases, you may even be able to leverage and negotiate offers.
Are you looking for more help navigating the financial aid and college application process? We’ll help you do this and more — all on our free college admissions platform. You can even find out your real chances of acceptance to more than 500 schools. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account to get started!