Filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is one of the most important steps in getting money for college. But it’s not just what you do – when you do it can make a big difference. Many types of financial aid (especially from states and schools) are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning the sooner you apply, the better your chances of snagging free money like grants. If you wait too long and miss a key deadline, you could miss out on aid that doesn’t have to be paid back, like state scholarships or grants, because those funds might run out. In short, FAFSA deadlines matter because they can be the difference between a generous aid offer and a smaller one.
FAFSA Application Deadline 2025-2026
Keep in mind that there are different FAFSA deadlines: the federal deadline, state deadlines, and sometimes college-specific deadlines. For the 2025–26 school year, the federal FAFSA opened a bit later than usual (in November 2024) and can be submitted until June 30, 2026. However, state deadlines come much sooner – often in early 2025 – and vary by where you live. Some states have a firm cutoff date, while others say to apply as soon as possible because funds are limited. It’s crucial to know your own state’s deadline (the state where you legally reside) and file your FAFSA before that date. By submitting your FAFSA early (or at least before your state’s deadline), you ensure you’re considered for all the aid you’re eligible for, including state grants that might run out if you delay.
In a nutshell: Don’t procrastinate! Even though the federal FAFSA gives you a long window, state and college aid is often first-come, first-served. Applying early or by the state deadline means you’ll have the best chance at programs like state grants, which can significantly lower your college costs. Now, let’s look at a state-by-state list of FAFSA deadlines for the 2025–26 academic year so you know what to aim for.
2025–26 FAFSA Deadlines by State
Below is a comprehensive table of state FAFSA deadlines for the 2025–2026 academic year. Find your state (or territory) to see its deadline. Remember, “priority” deadlines mean you should apply by that date for the best chance at aid, though in many cases you technically can still submit later (just with potentially less aid available). If a state says “ASAP” or has no fixed date, it means apply as early as possible because funds are limited and can run out. All dates below refer to when to submit the FAFSA for state aid consideration in the 2025–26 school year.
| State/Territory | 2025–26 FAFSA Deadline for State Aid |
|---|---|
| Alabama | No specific state deadline – submit ASAP; check with your school’s financial aid office for any state aid considerations. |
| Alaska | As soon as possible after FAFSA opens (state grants – funds first-come, first-served); for the Alaska Performance Scholarship, apply by June 30, 2025 (priority deadline). |
| Arizona | April 1, 2025 (priority deadline for state aid programs). |
| Arkansas | July 1, 2025 – priority deadline for most Arkansas state scholarships (e.g. Academic Challenge); January 10, 2026 for spring-term state grant programs. |
| California | April 2, 2025 – state priority deadline (e.g. Cal Grant; also requires GPA submission by this date). California community college students have a later deadline of September 2, 2025 for additional Cal Grant awards. (Note: California extended its usual March deadline to April 2 for 2025–26 due to the FAFSA’s delayed launch.) |
| Colorado | No specific state deadline – check with your financial aid office; applying early is recommended. |
| Connecticut | February 15, 2025 (priority consideration for state aid). |
| Delaware | June 15, 2025 (final state deadline for Delaware aid programs). |
| District of Columbia (D.C.) | June 25, 2025 (priority deadline for D.C. aid). For the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG), there’s a separate application (DC OneApp) due by July 1, 2025 for priority consideration. |
| Florida | May 15, 2025 (deadline for state grant consideration). |
| Georgia | ASAP after FAFSA opens – no firm date (state funds are limited, so apply early). |
| Guam | No specific deadline – check with your financial aid office; submit FAFSA early. |
| Hawaii | No specific deadline – check with your financial aid office; submit FAFSA early. |
| Idaho | March 1, 2025 – priority deadline for Idaho Opportunity Grant (state need-based aid). (Submit by midnight Central Time on 3/1/2025 for priority consideration.) |
| Illinois | ASAP after FAFSA opens – no set date (state Monetary Award Program grants awarded until funds depleted). |
| Indiana | April 15, 2025 – deadline for key Indiana state grants (e.g. Frank O’Bannon Grant, 21st Century Scholarship). Some Indiana grants for adult learners (e.g. Adult Student Grant, Workforce Ready Grant) are first-come, first-served – so apply ASAP after FAFSA opening. |
| Iowa | July 1, 2025 (state deadline for Iowa aid). (Some programs may have earlier priority dates, so earlier is better.) |
| Kansas | April 1, 2025 (priority deadline for Kansas state aid). |
| Kentucky | ASAP after FAFSA opens – no set deadline (state funds are first-come, first-served until depleted). |
| Louisiana | July 1, 2026 – final deadline for Louisiana state aid for 2025–26. (Louisiana recommends submitting much earlier – around February 1, 2025 – for priority consideration even though the final cutoff is later.) |
| Maine | May 1, 2025 (priority deadline for state grant consideration). |
| Maryland | March 1, 2025 (deadline for Maryland state scholarships/grants, such as the Howard P. Rawlings program). |
| Massachusetts | May 1, 2025 (priority deadline for Massachusetts state financial aid). |
| Michigan | July 1, 2025 (deadline for Michigan state aid, e.g. Competitive Scholarship and Tuition Grant). |
| Minnesota | June 30, 2026 (final deadline, same as federal – Minnesota state grant can be filed up until end of academic year). |
| Mississippi | April 30, 2025 – deadline for Mississippi’s HELP Grant. (Other Mississippi grant programs had an earlier deadline of October 15, 2024 – which has passed – so the sooner you file, the better.) |
| Missouri | February 3, 2025 (priority deadline for Missouri aid); applications accepted until April 1, 2025 (final cutoff). |
| Montana | December 31, 2024 (priority consideration deadline for Montana state aid). |
| Nebraska | No specific deadline – check with your financial aid office; earlier submission is encouraged. |
| Nevada | ASAP after FAFSA opens – for Nevada need-based grants (apply early, funds are limited); March 1, 2025 for the Nevada Promise Scholarship (separate program). |
| New Hampshire | No specific deadline – check with your financial aid office; apply early. |
| New Jersey | April 15, 2025 – deadline for Tuition Aid Grant (TAG) renewal applicants. September 15, 2025 – deadline for new fall 2025 and full-year applicants. February 15, 2025 – deadline for spring 2026 starting applicants (if you only enroll spring term). |
| New Mexico | No specific deadline – check with your financial aid office; apply early. |
| New York | June 30, 2026 – final deadline (New York state aid programs generally follow the federal deadline). (Regardless, it’s best to file early.) |
| North Carolina | June 1, 2025 – priority deadline for UNC System universities; August 15, 2025 – priority for North Carolina community colleges. |
| North Dakota | ASAP after FAFSA opens – no set date (state grants awarded until funds are depleted). |
| Ohio | October 1, 2025 – state deadline for Ohio aid programs in 2025–26. |
| Oklahoma | No specific deadline – apply ASAP (state aid is first-come, first-served); check with your financial aid office. |
| Oregon | ASAP after FAFSA opens – for Oregon Opportunity Grant (apply early, funds can run out); March 1, 2025 – deadline for Oregon’s OSAC scholarship programs. |
| Pennsylvania | May 1, 2025 – deadline for Pennsylvania state grant for most students (e.g. recent high school grads). August 1, 2025 – deadline for community college, trade, and part-time students first applying for state grant. |
| Rhode Island | No specific deadline – check with your financial aid office; apply early for consideration. |
| South Carolina | ASAP after FAFSA opens – for South Carolina need-based grants (first-come, first-served); August 1, 2025 – deadline for South Carolina Tuition Grants (a separate program). |
| South Dakota | No specific deadline – check with your financial aid office; apply early. |
| Tennessee | March 15, 2025 – priority deadline for Tennessee state grants (e.g. Tennessee Student Assistance Award). (Tennessee also recommends filing ASAP; some programs like the Tennessee Promise scholarship have earlier FAFSA deadlines, generally in the winter of senior year.) |
| Texas | February 15, 2025 – priority deadline for Texas state financial aid. (Texas extended its usual Jan. 15 deadline to Feb. 15 for the 2025–26 cycle due to the FAFSA delay. After this date, state aid isn’t guaranteed, but still submit ASAP.) |
| Utah | No specific deadline – apply ASAP; state aid funds may be limited (no fixed priority date). |
| Vermont | ASAP – no firm deadline (funds are awarded until depleted, so submit as early as possible). |
| Virginia | ASAP – no firm deadline (apply early for Virginia state aid, which is first-come, first-served). |
| Washington | ASAP after FAFSA opens – no set deadline (state need grants awarded until funds run out). (Undocumented students in WA should file the WASFA instead of FAFSA to be considered for state aid.) |
| West Virginia | March 1, 2025 – deadline for WV PROMISE Scholarship (merit-based aid); April 15, 2025 – priority deadline for WV Higher Education Grant and WV Invests grant programs. |
| Wisconsin | No specific deadline – check with your financial aid office; submit FAFSA early for best chance at state aid. |
| Wyoming | No specific deadline – check with your financial aid office; submit FAFSA early for best chance at state aid. |
Note: If your state is listed as “no specific deadline” or “ASAP,” that means it’s best to submit your FAFSA as soon as you can after it becomes available. States with “ASAP” policies award aid until funds are gone – in those places, delaying your FAFSA could literally cost you free money because the pot might be empty later on. Even if a deadline is formally later, try to file early to avoid any last-minute issues and to maximize your aid opportunities. And if you happen to miss your state’s deadline, you should still file the FAFSA! While you might lose out on some state or school aid, you can still qualify for federal aid like Pell Grants or loans regardless of state deadlines. The key takeaway: know your deadlines and aim to file your FAFSA before that date – sooner is always better when it comes to financial aid. Good luck with your application!
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Ember Orion is a journalism student who loves to write about social security and government schemes. Ember’s dream is to become a top-level anchor in the USA.