Understand how and when to file the FAFSA, and get answers to the most common questions students and parents encounter when applying for federal financial aid.
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FAFSA Deadlines 2021-2022 (Federal and State)
To determine which FAFSA to file, and when you should file in order to maximize your federal and state aid funds, keep reading.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is used to apply for federal grants and student loans. Many states and schools rely on the information provided in the FAFSA to determine a student’s eligibility for state and institutional school aid, as well.
FAFSA Deadlines
There are three FAFSA deadlines you need to keep in mind. The most important FAFSA deadline will be the one with the earliest date.
When Is the FAFSA Due?
The most important FAFSA deadline is the FAFSA deadline which comes first. To be on the safe side, you do want to file the FAFSA as soon as possible. As long as the FAFSA you need to file is open, there is no such thing as filing your FAFSA too early.
Which FAFSA Should You File?
Federal student aid has an award year that runs from July 1 to June 30. The FAFSA has a 21-month application cycle that begins on October 1, nine months before the start of the award year, and ends on June 30, the last day of the award year. Because of the way the application cycle works, there is an overlap of a few months, so you may see a choice between two FAFSA applications when you log in.
Here's how to determine which FAFSA to file:
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FAFSA Deadline by State
State FAFSA deadlines may be earlier than the federal deadline. To increase your chances of receiving state aid, in addition to federal aid, it is important to know the deadline for your state of residence. In addition to varying deadlines, some states award aid on a first-come, first-served basis. See the table below.
States may also have their own additional financial aid application forms to complete.
To be on the safe side, file as early as possible!
Please note:
- The state FAFSA deadlines may have already passed. If so, prepare for next year’s form by adding a reminder to your calendar. Most state deadlines remain similar year after year.
- State forms do not replace filling out the FAFSA. You must fill out the FAFSA to receive federal student aid.
- The state deadline to note is that of your state of legal residence.
- Additional forms may be required. Contact your high school’s counselor, your college’s financial aid administrator or your state agency for more information.
- Applicants should keep a copy of their submission of the FAFSA as well as any additional state forms.
- Applicants should obtain a Certificate of Mailing and/or Delivery Confirmation for forms sent by postal mail.
- Date received means received by the U.S. Department of Education, unless otherwise indicated.
FAFSA Deadline by School
The next deadline to look up is your school’s deadline. The best place to look is on the school’s financial aid page. If you are having trouble finding it, you should give the school a call.
If you’re applying to multiple schools, you will need to look up the deadline for each school. And the most important deadline is the earliest one!
Federal FAFSA Deadline
And finally, the deadline to keep in mind, the federal deadline which is June 30 of the end of the award year. For example, for the 2020-2021 FAFSA the 2020-2021 award year is July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. So the federal deadline for the 2020-2021 FAFSA is June 30, 2021.
The federal deadline for the 2021-2022 FAFSA is June 30, 2022.
If you are confused about which FAFSA you should complete, you should contact your financial aid office.
State Financial Aid Deadlines
The table below is intended to educate students on state deadlines. It is always best to confirm state-related information with your high school counselor, financial aid advisor, or applicable state agency.
| State / Territory | 2020-2021 Deadlines | 2021-2022 Deadlines | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama1 | AL | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Alaska1 | AK | AK Education Grant - As early as possible after Oct. 1, 2019 AK Performance Scholarship - June 30, 2020 |
AK Education Grant - As early as possible after Oct. 1, 2020 AK Performance Scholarship - June 30, 2021 |
| American Samoa | AS | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator; additional forms may be required |
| Arizona | AZ | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Arkansas | AR | For Academic Challenge and Higher Education Opportunity Grant - June 1, 2020 (date received) For Workforce Grant - check with your financial aid administrator |
Academic Challenge: July 1, 2021, by midnight CT ArFuture Grant (fall term): July 1, 2021, by midnight CT ArFuture Grant (spring term): Jan. 10, 2022, by midnight CT |
| California | CA | For initial awards - March 2, 2020 (date postmarked) For additional community college awards - Sept. 2, 2020 - (date postmarked) (If you are a non-citizen without a Social Security card or had one issued through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, you should fill out the California Dream Act Application found at dream.csac.ca.gov. You do not need to fill out a FAFSA to be eligible for California student financial aid.) Contact the California Student Aid Commissionor your financial aid administrator for more information.) |
For many state financial aid programs: March 2, 2021 (date postmarked) Cal Grant also requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2021 For additional community college Cal Grants - September 2, 2021 - (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 found at dream.csac.ca.gov. |
| Colorado | CO | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Connecticut1,2 | CT | Feb. 15, 2020 (date received) | Feb. 15, 2021, by midnight CT for priority consideration; additional forms might be required |
| Delaware | DE | April 15, 2020 (date received) | April 15, 2021, by midnight CT |
| District of Columbia2 | DC | May 1, 2020 (date received) For DCTAG, complete the DC OneApp and submit additional supporting documents on or before May 31, 2020. |
May 1, 2021 (date received), for priority consideration For DCTAG, complete the DC OneApp and submit additional supporting documents on or before May 31, 2021, for priority consideration. |
| Federated States of Micronesia | FM | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Florida | FL | May 15, 2020 (date processed) | May 15, 2021 (date processed) |
| Georgia | GA | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Guam | GU | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Hawaii | HI | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Idaho | ID | Opportunity Grant - March 1, 2020 | Opportunity Grant - March 1, 2021, by midnight CT |
| Illinois | IL | As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2019 | As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020 |
| Indiana2 | IN |
Frank O'Bannon Grant and 21st Century Scholarship Grant - Oct. 1, 2020 (date received) Adult Student Grant- as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020 Workforce Ready Grant - as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2019 |
Adult Student Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020. New applicants must submit additional forms at ScholarTrack.IN.gov Workforce Ready Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020 Frank O'Bannon Grant: April 15, 2021 21st Century Scholarship: April 15, 2021 |
| Iowa | IA | July 1, 2020 (date received); earlier priority deadlines may exist for certain programs | July 1, 2021 by midnight CT; earlier priority deadlines may exist for certain programs |
| Kansas2 | KS | April 1, 2020 (date received) | April 1, 2021 (date received) |
| Kentucky1 | KY | As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2019 | As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020 |
| Louisiana | LA | July 1, 2021 (July 1, 2020 recommended) | July 1, 2022 (July 1, 2021 recommended) |
| Maine | ME | May 1, 2020 (date received) | May 1, 2021, by midnight CT |
| Marshall Islands | MH | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Maryland | MD | March 1, 2020 (date received) | March 1, 2021, by midnight CT |
| Massachusetts | MA | May 1, 2020 (date received) | For priority consideration, May 1, 2021, by midnight CT |
| Michigan | MI | March 1, 2020 (date received) | March 1, 2021, by midnight CT |
| Minnesota | MN | 30 days after term starts (date received) | 30 days after term starts, by midnight CT |
| Mississippi | MS | June 1, 2020 |
MTAG and MESG Grants: Sept. 15, 2021 by midnight CT HELP Scholarship: April 30, 2021 by midnight CT |
| Missouri1 | MO | For priority: Feb. 1, 2020. Applications accepted through April 1, 2020. | For priority: Feb. 1, 2021. Applications accepted through April 1, 2021 by midnight CT. |
| Montana | MT | For priority consideration, Dec. 1, 2019 - check with financial aid officer | For priority consideration, Dec. 1, 2020 - check with financial aid officer |
| Nebraska | NE | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Nevada1,2 | NV | Silver State Opportunity Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2019 Nevada Promise Scholarship: April 1, 2020 All other aid: Check with your financial aid administrator |
Silver State Opportunity Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020 Nevada Promise Scholarship: March 1, 2021 All other aid: Check with your financial aid administrator |
| New Hampshire | NH | Check with your financial aid administrator |
Check with your financial aid administrator |
| New Jersey | NJ |
2020-2021 Tuition Aid Grant recipients: April 15, 2020 (date received)
All other applications: |
2021-2022 Tuition Aid Grant recipients: April 15, 2021 by midnight CT
All other applications: |
| New Mexico1 | NM | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| New York2 | NY | June 30, 2021 (date received) | June 30, 2022, by midnight CT |
| North Carolina1 | NC | As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2019 | As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020 |
| North Dakota1 | ND | As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2019 |
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020 |
| Northern Mariana Islands | MP | April 30, 2020 | April 30, 2021, by midnight CT |
| Ohio | OH | Oct. 1, 2020 (date received) | Oct. 1, 2021, by midnight CT |
| Oklahoma1 | OK | As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2019 |
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020 |
| Oregon1,2 | OR | Oregon Opportunity Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2019 OSAC Private Scholarships: March 1, 2020 Oregon Promise: Contact your state agency |
Oregon Opportunity Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020 OSAC Private Scholarships: March 1, 2021 Oregon Promise: Contact your state agency |
| Palau2 | PW | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Pennsylvania2 | PA |
All first-time applicants at a community college; a business/trade/technical school; designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institution; or a hospital school of nursing; or enrolled in a non-transferable two-year program: Aug. 1, 2020 (date received) All other applicants - May 1, 2020 (date received) |
All first-time applicants at a community college; a business/trade/technical school; designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institution, or a hospital school or nursing; or enrolled in a non-transferable two-year program: Aug. 1, 2021, by midnight CT All other applicants - May 1, 2021, by midnight CT |
| Puerto Rico | PR | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Rhode Island2 | RI | Check with your financial aid administrator |
Check with your financial aid administrator |
| South Carolina1 | SC | Tuition Grants: June 30, 2020 (date received) SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based grants - As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2019 |
Tuition Grants: June 30, 2021, by midnight CT SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based grants: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020 |
| South Dakota2 | SD | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Tennessee | TN |
State Grant: Feb. 1, 2020: Eligible prior-year recipients receive priority, and all other awards made to neediest applicants until funds are depleted. For State Lottery - Fall term: Sept. 1, 2020, by midnight CT Spring & summer terms: Feb. 1, 2021 (date received) For TN Promise - Feb. 2, 2020 |
State Grant: Feb. 1, 2021: Eligible prior-year recipients receive priority, and all other awards made to neediest applicants until funds are depleted. For State Lottery - Fall term: Sept. 1, 2021, by midnight CT Spring & summer terms: Feb. 1, 2022, by midnight CT For TN Promise: Feb. 1, 2021, by midnight CT |
| Texas2 | TX | For priority consideration: Jan. 15, 2020 Private and two-year institutions may have different deadlines |
For priority consideration: Jan. 15, 2021 Private and two-year institutions may have different deadlines |
| U.S. Virgin Islands2 | VI | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Utah |
UT | Check with your financial aid administrator |
Regents’ Scholarship: Feb. 1, 2021. For priority, submit your application by Dec. 4, 2020. Other programs: Check with your financial aid administrator. Awards are made until funds are depleted. Additional forms might be required. |
| Vermont1,2 | VT | As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2019 | As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020 |
| Virginia2 | VA | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Washington1 | WA | As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2019 Students ineligible for federal aid but meet state financial aid program and residency requirements should complete the Washington Application for State Financial Aid |
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2020. Students ineligible for federal aid but who meet state financial aid program and residency requirements should complete the Washington Application for State Financial Aid at readysetgrad.org/wasfa instead of the FAFSA form. Contact the Washington Student Achievement Council (readysetgrad.org/wasfa) or your financial aid administrator for more information. |
| West Virginia2 | WV | For PROMISE Scholarship - March 1, 2020 New applicants must also submit additional application at www.cfwv.com. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency. For WV Higher Education Grant Program - April 15, 2020 |
For PROMISE Scholarship - March 1, 2021 For WV Higher Education Grant Program - April 15, 2021 |
| Wisconsin | WI | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
| Wyoming | WY | Check with your financial aid administrator | Check with your financial aid administrator |
1Awards made until funds are depleted
2Additional forms may be required. When possible, Edvisors has linked to the applicable site.
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