FAFSA, short for Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form that must be filled out to apply for federal student financial aid. Students who are planning to attend college in the fall of 2025 should fill out the FAFSA for the 2025-2026 school year.
The FAFSA is available online at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The FAFSA can be filled out as early as October 1st of the year prior to the academic year for which you are applying. For the 2025-2026 school year, the FAFSA will be available on October 1, 2024.
The FAFSA is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal student aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans. The FAFSA also provides information that is used to calculate a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC). The EFC is used to determine how much a student and their family are expected to contribute towards the cost of college.
1. October 1st
The FAFSA becomes available on October 1st of the year prior to the academic year for which you are applying. This means that the FAFSA for the 2025-2026 school year will be available on October 1, 2024. It is important to fill out the FAFSA as early as possible, as this will give you the best chance of getting the most financial aid possible.
There are a few reasons why it is important to fill out the FAFSA as early as possible.
- First-come, first-served: Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that the earlier you fill out the FAFSA, the more likely you are to get the most aid possible.
- State deadlines: Some states have earlier FAFSA deadlines than the federal deadline of June 30th. If you miss your state’s deadline, you may not be eligible for state financial aid.
- Scholarships: Many scholarships have their own deadlines, which are often earlier than the FAFSA deadline. If you miss the scholarship deadline, you will not be eligible for the scholarship.
Filling out the FAFSA can be a daunting task, but it is important to remember that the FAFSA is the key to getting financial aid for college. By filling out the FAFSA as early as possible, you can increase your chances of getting the most aid possible.
2. FAFSA Deadline
The FAFSA deadline is an important date to keep in mind when applying for financial aid for college. The FAFSA deadline for the 2025-2026 school year is June 30, 2026. However, some states have earlier deadlines, so it is important to check with your state’s financial aid office to find out the deadline for your state. If you miss the FAFSA deadline, you may not be eligible for federal student financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans.
There are a few reasons why it is important to be aware of the FAFSA deadline. First, financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that the earlier you submit your FAFSA, the more likely you are to receive the most financial aid possible. Second, some states have earlier FAFSA deadlines than the federal deadline. If you miss your state’s deadline, you may not be eligible for state financial aid.
To avoid missing the FAFSA deadline, it is important to start the FAFSA process early. You can begin filling out the FAFSA as early as October 1st of the year prior to the academic year for which you are applying. By starting early, you will have plenty of time to gather the necessary information and submit your FAFSA before the deadline.
If you have any questions about the FAFSA deadline, you can contact your state’s financial aid office. They will be able to provide you with more information about the FAFSA deadline and the financial aid programs available in your state.
3. Apply Early
Applying for financial aid early is one of the most important things you can do to increase your chances of getting the most aid possible. The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and it is the form that you need to fill out to apply for federal student financial aid. The FAFSA becomes available on October 1st of the year prior to the academic year for which you are applying. For the 2025-2026 school year, the FAFSA will be available on October 1, 2024. The FAFSA deadline is June 30th of the year in which you are applying. However, some states have earlier deadlines, so it is important to check with your state’s financial aid office to find out the deadline for your state.
There are a few reasons why it is important to apply for financial aid early.
- First-come, first-served: Financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that the earlier you apply, the more likely you are to get the most aid possible.
- State deadlines: Some states have earlier FAFSA deadlines than the federal deadline of June 30th. If you miss your state’s deadline, you may not be eligible for state financial aid.
- Scholarships: Many scholarships have their own deadlines, which are often earlier than the FAFSA deadline. If you miss the scholarship deadline, you will not be eligible for the scholarship.
Applying for financial aid early is a simple and easy way to increase your chances of getting the most aid possible. By following the tips above, you can make sure that you are on the right track to getting the financial aid that you need to pay for college.
FAQs about FAFSA for Fall 2025-2026
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form that students must fill out to apply for federal student financial aid. The FAFSA is available online at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
Here are some frequently asked questions about when to fill out the FAFSA for fall 2025-2026:
Question 1: When is the FAFSA available for the 2025-2026 school year?
The FAFSA will be available on October 1, 2024.
Question 2: When is the FAFSA deadline for the 2025-2026 school year?
The FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2026. However, some states have earlier deadlines, so it is important to check with your state’s financial aid office to find out the deadline for your state.
Question 3: Why is it important to fill out the FAFSA early?
There are several reasons why it is important to fill out the FAFSA early. First, financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that the earlier you fill out the FAFSA, the more likely you are to get the most aid possible. Second, some states have earlier FAFSA deadlines than the federal deadline. If you miss your state’s deadline, you may not be eligible for state financial aid. Third, many scholarships have their own deadlines, which are often earlier than the FAFSA deadline. If you miss the scholarship deadline, you will not be eligible for the scholarship.
Question 4: What information do I need to fill out the FAFSA?
To fill out the FAFSA, you will need the following information:
- Your Social Security number
- Your parents’ Social Security numbers (if you are a dependent student)
- Your driver’s license number (if you have one)
- Your alien registration number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)
- Your federal income tax returns (or your parents’ federal income tax returns if you are a dependent student)
- Your bank statements
- Your investment statements
Question 5: Where can I get help filling out the FAFSA?
You can get help filling out the FAFSA from your high school counselor, your college financial aid office, or a community-based organization. You can also call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243.
Question 6: What happens after I submit the FAFSA?
After you submit the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR will show you the information that you provided on the FAFSA and will tell you your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Your EFC is used to determine how much financial aid you are eligible for.
Filling out the FAFSA is an important step in the financial aid process. By filling out the FAFSA early and accurately, you can increase your chances of getting the most financial aid possible.
If you have any other questions about the FAFSA, please visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov.
Tips for Filling Out the FAFSA for Fall 2025-2026
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the form that students must fill out to apply for federal student financial aid. The FAFSA is available online at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.
Filling out the FAFSA can be a daunting task, but it is important to remember that the FAFSA is the key to getting financial aid for college. By following these tips, you can make sure that you fill out the FAFSA accurately and on time:
Tip 1: Gather your information. Before you start filling out the FAFSA, you will need to gather the following information:Your Social Security numberYour parents’ Social Security numbers (if you are a dependent student)Your driver’s license number (if you have one)Your alien registration number (if you are not a U.S. citizen)Your federal income tax returns (or your parents’ federal income tax returns if you are a dependent student)Your bank statementsYour investment statementsTip 2: Start early. The FAFSA becomes available on October 1st of the year prior to the academic year for which you are applying. For the 2025-2026 school year, the FAFSA will be available on October 1, 2024. It is important to start filling out the FAFSA as early as possible, as this will give you the best chance of getting the most financial aid possible.Tip 3: Fill out the FAFSA accurately. When filling out the FAFSA, it is important to be accurate. Any mistakes could delay your financial aid or result in you receiving less aid than you are eligible for.Tip 4: Submit the FAFSA on time. The FAFSA deadline is June 30th of the year in which you are applying. However, some states have earlier deadlines, so it is important to check with your state’s financial aid office to find out the deadline for your state.Tip 5: Keep a copy of your FAFSA. Once you have submitted your FAFSA, it is important to keep a copy for your records. This will be helpful if you need to make any changes to your FAFSA or if you have any questions about your financial aid.Tip 6: Apply for scholarships. In addition to filling out the FAFSA, you should also apply for scholarships. Scholarships are free money that you do not have to repay. There are many different scholarships available, so it is important to do your research and find scholarships that you are eligible for.Tip 7: Contact your financial aid office. If you have any questions about the FAFSA or financial aid, you should contact your financial aid office. The financial aid office will be able to help you fill out the FAFSA and answer any questions that you have.
By following these tips, you can make sure that you fill out the FAFSA accurately and on time. This will give you the best chance of getting the most financial aid possible for college.
Filling out the FAFSA is an important step in the financial aid process. By starting early and following these tips, you can make sure that you fill out the FAFSA accurately and on time. This will give you the best chance of getting the most financial aid possible.
If you have any other questions about the FAFSA, please visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov.
In Closing
The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, and it is the form that students must fill out to apply for federal student financial aid. The FAFSA is available online at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa. The FAFSA becomes available on October 1st of the year prior to the academic year for which you are applying. For the 2025-2026 school year, the FAFSA will be available on October 1, 2024. The FAFSA deadline is June 30th of the year in which you are applying. However, some states have earlier deadlines, so it is important to check with your state’s financial aid office to find out the deadline for your state.
Filling out the FAFSA can be a daunting task, but it is important to remember that the FAFSA is the key to getting financial aid for college. By following the tips above, you can make sure that you fill out the FAFSA accurately and on time. This will give you the best chance of getting the most financial aid possible.
If you have any other questions about the FAFSA, please visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov.
