2026-27 Financial Aid and FAFSA State Deadlines

It’s official: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, more commonly known as the FAFSA, is launching on October 1 this year. This FAFSA will determine aid for the 2026 – 27 academic year. If you hope to qualify for financial aid this year, filling out the FAFSA is a must. Without it, you will not receive certain scholarships, grants, and federal loan options. As you prepare to complete the FAFSA, you may hear more about the the federal deadline versus state deadlines. The best practice is to submit your FAFSA by your state’s deadline; do not wait for the federal deadline. Many states distribute financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you submit the form, the greater your chances of receiving more state aid if you qualify. As we prepare for FAFSA, you must familiarize yourself with the deadlines.

Federal FAFSA Deadline

The FAFSA has an 18-month application cycle, ensuring that any student who enrolls throughout the academic year can submit the form in hopes of qualifying for financial aid. The federal deadline is June 30, 2027. Once you have submitted your FAFSA, you can make edits and corrections through September 12, 2027, at 11:59 PM (CST).

State FAFSA Deadline

The 2026 – 27 FAFSA state deadlines below are in alphabetical order. Check with your school’s financial aid office or your state’s higher education website to verify your deadline for financial assistance. Additional forms might be required, state-by-state. Alabama – Check with your financial aid administrator. Alaska – Alaska Education Grant: ASAP after October 1, 2025. Awards are made until funds are depleted. Alaska Performance Scholarship: For priority consideration, submit your application by June 30, 2026. Awards are made until funds are depleted. Arizona – Submit your application by April 1, 2026, for priority consideration. Arkansas – Academic Challenge: July 1, 2026. Arkansas Future Grant (fall term): July 1, 2026. Arkansas Future Grant (spring term): January 10, 2027. California – March 2, 2026 (date postmarked). Cal Grant also requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2026. For additional community college Cal Grants, the deadline is September 2, 2026. Suppose you're a noncitizen without a Social Security card or had one issued through the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. In that case, you should fill out the California Dream Act Application available at dream.csac.ca.gov. Contact the California Student Aid Commission csac.ca.gov or your financial aid administrator for more information. Colorado – Check with your financial aid administrator. Connecticut - Submit your application by February 15, 2026, for priority consideration. Additional forms might be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency. Delaware – May 15, 2026 District of Columbia - Submit your FAFSA form by June 25, 2026, for priority consideration. For the DC Tuition Assistance Grant (DCTAG), complete the DC OneApp and submit supporting documents by July 1, 2026, for priority consideration. Florida - May 15, 2026 Georgia - ASAP after October 1, 2025 Guam - Check with your financial aid administrator. Hawaii - Check with your financial aid administrator. Idaho - Opportunity Grant: For priority consideration, submit your application by midnight (CST) March 1, 2026. Illinois - ASAP after October 1, 2025. Visit isac.org for Monetary Award Program renewal deadline information. Awards are made until funds are depleted. Indiana - Adult Student Grant: ASAP after October 1, 2025. Awards are made until funds are depleted. New applicants must submit additional forms at ScholarTrack.IN.gov. Workforce Ready Grant: ASAP after October 1, 2025. Frank O'Bannon Grant: April 15, 2026. 21st Century Scholarship: April 15, 2026. Iowa - July 1, 2026. Different priority deadlines might exist for certain programs. Additional forms may be required. Kansas - Submit your application by midnight (CST) April 1, 2026, for priority consideration. Kentucky - ASAP after October 1, 2025. Awards are made until funds are depleted. Louisiana - July 1, 2027. It is recommended that you submit your application by February 1, 2026. Maine – May 1, 2026 Maryland – March 1, 2026 Massachusetts – Submit your application by May 1, 2026, for priority consideration. Michigan – July 1, 2026 Minnesota – State Grant and North Star Promise: Submit your application by the 30th day of the term. All Other Aid: Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend. Additional forms may be required. Mississippi – HELP Grant: Submit your application before April 30, 2026. MTAG and MESG Grants: October 15, 2026, by midnight Central Time (CT). Missouri – Submit your application by February 2, 2026, for priority consideration. Applications are accepted through April 1, 2026. Montana – ASAP after October 1, 2025, for priority consideration. Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms might be required. Nebraska – Check with your financial aid administrator. Nevada – Silver State Opportunity Grant: ASAP after October 1, 2025. Awards are made until funds are depleted. Nevada Promise Scholarship: April 1, 2026. Additional forms might be required. New Hampshire – Check with your financial aid administrator. New Jersey – Tuition Aid Grant recipients: April 15, 2026, by 11 PM (CST). All other applicants for the fall and spring terms on September 15, 2026, by 11 PM (CST). All other applicants for spring term only on February 15, 2027, by 11 PM (CST). New Mexico – Check with your financial aid administrator. New York – June 30, 2027, by midnight (CST). North Carolina – Private institutions: ASAP after October 1, 2025. UNC System Institutions: Apply by June 1, 2026. Community colleges: Apply by August 15, 2026. North Dakota – ASAP after October 1, 2025 Ohio – October 1, 2026 Oklahoma – Contact your financial aid administrator Oregon - Oregon Opportunity Grant: ASAP after October 1, 2025. OSAC Private Scholarships: March 1, 2026. Pennsylvania – All first-time applicants enrolled in a community college, business, trade, technical school, hospital school of nursing, designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institution, or nontransferable two-year program: August 1, 2026. All other applicants: May 1, 2026. Rhode Island – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms might be required. South Carolina – SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based Grants: ASAP after October 1, 2025. SC Tuition Grants: August 1, 2026 South Dakota – Check with your financial aid administrator. Tennessee – State Grant: Prior-year recipients apply by March 2, 2026. Tennessee Promise: March 2, 2026 State Lottery (fall term): September 1, 2026. State Lottery (spring term): March 1, 2027. State Lottery (summer term): May 1, 2027. Texas – Submit your application by January 15, 2026, for priority consideration. Utah – Check with your financial aid administrator. Vermont – ASAP after October 1, 2025 Virginia – ASAP after October 1, 2025 Washington – ASAP after October 1, 2025. Students who are 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 Virginia – PROMISE Scholarship: March 1, 2026. New applicants must submit additional forms at cfwv.com. WV Higher Education Grant Program: April 15, 2026 WV Invests Grant: Submit your application by April 15, 2026, for priority consideration. Wisconsin – Check with your financial aid administrator. Wyoming – Check with your financial aid administrator. Additional forms might be required.

School FAFSA Deadlines

Some colleges and universities have their own deadlines for the FAFSA. As you apply to colleges, check with financial aid administrators for their preferred due date. Additionally, schools may ask you to submit supplemental financial aid forms. These forms will provide a more detailed picture of your family’s financial circumstances by asking questions that the FAFSA may not.

Be Prepared for the 2026 – 26 FAFSA

The best way to prepare for the FAFSA launch on October 1 is to have all of your materials ready. Download our FAFSA checklist.