The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that students must complete to apply for federal financial aid. The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year and closes on June 30th. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the FAFSA will be available from October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
The FAFSA is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. The information collected on the FAFSA is used to calculate the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is a measure of how much the student’s family is expected to contribute to the cost of their education. The EFC is used to determine the amount of financial aid that the student is eligible to receive.
Completing the FAFSA is an important step in the financial aid process. Students who do not complete the FAFSA may miss out on financial aid that they are eligible to receive.
1. October 1, 2024
October 1, 2024 is the first day that students can submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-2026 academic year. The FAFSA is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs.
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Filing the FAFSA
Students who file the FAFSA by October 1, 2024 will be considered for priority funding for federal financial aid. This means that they will have a better chance of receiving the full amount of aid for which they are eligible.
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FAFSA Deadlines
The FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2026. However, some states have earlier deadlines for state financial aid programs. Students should check with their state’s financial aid office to determine the state’s FAFSA deadline.
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FAFSA Changes
The FAFSA changes every year. For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, there are a few key changes that students should be aware of. These changes include:
- The FAFSA will be available in Spanish for the first time.
- The FAFSA will ask for students’ prior-prior year tax information.
- The FAFSA will include a new question about students’ homelessness status.
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FAFSA Resources
There are a number of resources available to help students complete the FAFSA. These resources include:
- The FAFSA website: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- The FAFSA helpline: 1-800-433-3243
- High school and college counselors
Completing the FAFSA is an important step in the financial aid process. Students who complete the FAFSA by October 1, 2024 will be considered for priority funding for federal financial aid.
2. June 30, 2026
June 30, 2026 is the last day that students can submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2025-2026 academic year. The FAFSA is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs.
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FAFSA Deadlines
The FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2026. However, some states have earlier deadlines for state financial aid programs. Students should check with their state’s financial aid office to determine the state’s FAFSA deadline.
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Missing the FAFSA Deadline
Students who miss the FAFSA deadline may still be able to receive federal financial aid. However, they may not be eligible for all types of aid. Students who miss the deadline should contact their school’s financial aid office to learn about their options.
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Completing the FAFSA
Students can complete the FAFSA online or by mail. The online FAFSA is available at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The paper FAFSA can be downloaded from the Federal Student Aid website.
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FAFSA Help
There are a number of resources available to help students complete the FAFSA. These resources include:
- The FAFSA website: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- The FAFSA helpline: 1-800-433-3243
- High school and college counselors
Completing the FAFSA is an important step in the financial aid process. Students who complete the FAFSA by June 30, 2026 will be considered for all types of federal financial aid.
3. FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that students must complete to apply for federal financial aid. The FAFSA is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. The information collected on the FAFSA is used to calculate the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is a measure of how much the student’s family is expected to contribute to the cost of their education. The EFC is used to determine the amount of financial aid that the student is eligible to receive.
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FAFSA Deadlines
The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year and closes on June 30th. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the FAFSA will be available from October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026. Students who file the FAFSA by October 1, 2024 will be considered for priority funding for federal financial aid.
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FAFSA Changes
The FAFSA changes every year. For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, there are a few key changes that students should be aware of. These changes include:
- The FAFSA will be available in Spanish for the first time.
- The FAFSA will ask for students’ prior-prior year tax information.
- The FAFSA will include a new question about students’ homelessness status.
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FAFSA Resources
There are a number of resources available to help students complete the FAFSA. These resources include:
- The FAFSA website: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
- The FAFSA helpline: 1-800-433-3243
- High school and college counselors
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FAFSA and the 2025-2026 Academic Year
Students who are planning to attend college in the 2025-2026 academic year should complete the FAFSA by October 1, 2024 to be considered for priority funding for federal financial aid. The FAFSA will be available from October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
Completing the FAFSA is an important step in the financial aid process. Students who complete the FAFSA by October 1, 2024 will be considered for all types of federal financial aid.
4. Federal financial aid
Federal financial aid is money that the government gives to students to help them pay for college. There are many different types of federal financial aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form that students must complete to apply for federal financial aid.
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Grants
Grants are free money that does not have to be repaid. There are many different types of grants, including Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOGs), and Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants.
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Loans
Loans are money that must be repaid, with interest. There are two main types of federal student loans: Stafford Loans and PLUS Loans.
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Work-study
Work-study programs allow students to work part-time to earn money to help pay for college.
The FAFSA is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal financial aid. The information collected on the FAFSA is used to calculate the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is a measure of how much the student’s family is expected to contribute to the cost of their education. The EFC is used to determine the amount of financial aid that the student is eligible to receive.
Completing the FAFSA is an important step in the financial aid process. Students who complete the FAFSA by October 1, 2024 will be considered for priority funding for federal financial aid.
FAQs about “when is the 2025 to 2026 fafsa open”
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that students must complete to apply for federal financial aid. The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year and closes on June 30th. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the FAFSA will be available from October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
Question 1: When is the FAFSA available for the 2025-2026 academic year?
Answer: The FAFSA will be available from October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
Question 2: What is the deadline to submit the FAFSA?
Answer: The FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2026. However, some states have earlier deadlines for state financial aid programs. Students should check with their state’s financial aid office to determine the state’s FAFSA deadline.
Question 3: What information is collected on the FAFSA?
Answer: The FAFSA collects information about the student’s family income and assets, as well as the student’s academic performance. This information is used to determine the student’s eligibility for federal financial aid.
Question 4: How is the FAFSA used to determine financial aid eligibility?
Answer: The information collected on the FAFSA is used to calculate the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is a measure of how much the student’s family is expected to contribute to the cost of their education. The EFC is used to determine the amount of financial aid that the student is eligible to receive.
Question 5: What are the different types of federal financial aid available?
Answer: There are three main types of federal financial aid: grants, loans, and work-study programs. Grants are free money that does not have to be repaid. Loans are money that must be repaid, with interest. Work-study programs allow students to work part-time to earn money to help pay for college.
Question 6: How can I apply for federal financial aid?
Answer: Students can apply for federal financial aid by completing the FAFSA. The FAFSA is available online at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
Completing the FAFSA is an important step in the financial aid process. Students who complete the FAFSA by October 1, 2024 will be considered for priority funding for federal financial aid.
FAFSA filing tips for the 2025-2026 academic year
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that students must complete to apply for federal financial aid. The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year and closes on June 30th. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the FAFSA will be available from October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
Tip 1: File the FAFSA early.
The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year. Students who file the FAFSA early will be considered for priority funding for federal financial aid.
Tip 2: Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
The IRS Data Retrieval Tool allows students to transfer their tax information directly from the IRS to the FAFSA. This can help to avoid errors and delays in processing.
Tip 3: Report all income and assets.
Students must report all of their income and assets on the FAFSA. This includes income from wages, scholarships, and investments. Students who fail to report all of their income and assets may be ineligible for financial aid.
Tip 4: Apply for state financial aid.
In addition to federal financial aid, many states offer their own financial aid programs. Students should check with their state’s financial aid office to learn about state financial aid programs and deadlines.
Tip 5: Keep a copy of your FAFSA.
Students should keep a copy of their FAFSA for their records. This will help them to track their financial aid status and make sure that they receive all of the aid for which they are eligible.
Completing the FAFSA is an important step in the financial aid process. Students who follow these tips can increase their chances of receiving the maximum amount of financial aid for which they are eligible.
In Closing
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to federal financial aid for college students. By completing the FAFSA, students can access grants, loans, and work-study programs to help pay for their education. The FAFSA opens on October 1st each year and closes on June 30th. For the 2025-2026 academic year, the FAFSA will be available from October 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
Completing the FAFSA is an important step in the financial aid process. Students who complete the FAFSA by October 1, 2024 will be considered for priority funding for federal financial aid. Students who wait to file the FAFSA may miss out on financial aid for which they are eligible.
Students should use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to transfer their tax information directly from the IRS to the FAFSA. This can help to avoid errors and delays in processing. Students should also report all of their income and assets on the FAFSA. Students who fail to report all of their income and assets may be ineligible for financial aid.
In addition to federal financial aid, many states offer their own financial aid programs. Students should check with their state’s financial aid office to learn about state financial aid programs and deadlines.
Completing the FAFSA is an important step in the financial aid process. Students who follow these tips can increase their chances of receiving the maximum amount of financial aid for which they are eligible.
