Key FAFSA Deadlines for the 2023-2024 Academic Year: There are many methods to pay for college in the United States, but the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), administered by the US Department of Education, is one of the most important. The FAFSA application window opens on October 1 and closes on June 30 of each academic year, with applications being accepted between those dates. Even with this window, it is advisable to submit your FAFSA as early as feasible, as many schools award funding on a first-come, first-served basis.
In this article, we will discuss essential FAFSA deadlines, as well as how to locate your state’s and college’s respective deadlines. However, for the most up-to-date information, you should consult the Department of Education’s resources.
Crucial FAFSA deadlines
The FAFSA form for the following academic year is available annually on October 1st. Therefore, if you intend to enrol in college in the autumn of 2024, the FAFSA form will be available on October 1, 2023 and will be due on June 30, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
You must submit an FAFSA form each year you intend to attend college as an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student if you wish to qualify for federal funding, grants, and scholarships. However, once you have submitted your initial FAFSA, you may be able to reapply annually if your circumstances have not changed.
In addition to the federal deadline, there are two other important FAFSA deadlines to consider when completing your application: college and state.
College FAFSA application deadline
Each college or university has its own deadline for financial aid, though many tend to coincide with the FAFSA deadline. You can locate your school’s on the financial aid page of its website. To locate this resource, conduct a web search using the name of your institution and “financial aid.” Many financial aid pages also provide contact information for those who have unanswered inquiries.
The financial aid page is typically the best place to locate your school’s Federal Student Code, allowing your information to be sent to the correct school for consideration. If you cannot locate it, search for the name of your institution and “FAFSA code.”
FAFSA for first-year students
Submitting your FAFSA form the year before you intend to enrol in college can be somewhat confusing, as a school will only consider you for aid after you have been accepted. However, the majority of colleges advise that you register for FAFSA even before you have been accepted, so that your information is on file by the time you are notified of an admissions decision.
Indicate FAFSA due date
The final deadline to be aware of is the FAFSA deadline for your state. FAFSA.gov includes Canadian provinces and US territories on its list of state deadlines. As with federal aid, many states have limited resources and distribute aid on a first-come, first-served basis.
You are not required to apply directly to your state for assistance. Instead, you must submit your FAFSA application by June 30.
Forms of financial support
FAFSA simplifies the application process for financial aid by allowing you to apply for multiple categories simultaneously. With a single application, you will be considered for grants, loans, work-study positions, and more:
Grants are aid that you do not have to repay if you complete your degree successfully. Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, TEACH Grants, and Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants are among the grants available through FAFSA.
Scholarships are also non-repayable awards, but they are typically merit-based or intended for specific groups of people rather than students with financial need.
Work study positions are available to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students as part-time employment. In exchange for your labour, you will earn money to fund a portion or the majority of your educational costs.
Federal student loans typically have a lower interest rate than private loans and include flexible repayment options, such as income-based repayment (IBR). The quantity of money you are permitted to borrow each year depends on your school year, whether you are an undergraduate or graduate student, and your tax status regarding dependents.
The types and quantity of aid you receive will depend on your financial circumstances. Once you have been accepted to the institution of your choice, you should receive a letter outlining the financial aid you will receive.
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Aid for international and vocational institutions
FAFSA recognises certain international institutions. Therefore, if you intend to study abroad and are a US citizen or eligible non-citizen, you may be eligible for financial aid to help cover the cost of your programme. FAFSA.gov contains a list of participating institutions.
FAFSA can also be used to obtain aid for trade institutions and certain online degree programmes. If you have queries about whether a programme or school qualifies for financial aid, you should contact their financial aid office or a representative.
What documentation do I need to submit my FAFSA?
Whether applying via desktop or mobile app, you must first construct an FSA ID by entering your name and SSN. After creating your ID, you can submit your application online at FAFSA.gov, via the myStudentAid app, or by mailing in a paper copy for processing.
Required FAFSA paperwork
If you are considered a dependent student, you will be required to provide both your own and your parents’ financial information. If you are an independent student, however, you will only be required to disclose your financial information. Below, we have outlined the required and optional, but occasionally requested, information you must include on your FAFSA.
To complete your application, you will need the following:
- a necessity
- Social security number or alien registration number (if you are not a citizen of the United States).
- Federal tax returns, W2s, and any other income-related documents
- if appropriate
- Bank statements and investment records
- Documentation of untaxed income
