Your 2015-2016 Financial Aid Deadlines

Heads up: This article is out of date! Find current financial aid information here.

Not sure when your financial aid applications are due?

Deadlines can vary by state, but the federal financial aid application deadline is the same for everyone: June 30, 2016.

Need your state’s deadline? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with a complete list of financial aid deadlines, state-by-state, for the 2015-2016 academic year.

Before you check out the list, read the important information below because it will help you understand all of the necessary information and ensure you have the correct deadlines for your state!

Important!

— The Federal Aid Deadline is June 30, 2016 – no matter what state you live in.

— The 2015-2016 School Year is from July 1st, 2015 – June 30th, 2016.

— FAFSA on the Web applications must be submitted before or by midnight, 12:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on June 30, 2016.

State deadlines may be earlier than the federal deadline and do not replace filling out the FAFSA. You must fill out the FAFSA to receive federal student aid. In all cases, it’s best to apply early before funds run out. And, for state or college aid, the deadline may be as early as January 2015.

Note: Your school must have your complete and correct information by your last day of enrollment in the 2015-2016 school year.

Many states do operate on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out, so it’s always in your best interest to submit the FAFSA as soon it’s available on January 1 of each year!

Also, be sure to check your state’s specific listing for notes so that you can make sure you know if any specific criteria applies (see below criteria)!

In some states, the following criteria applies:

— Additional form may be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency.
— Applicants encouraged to obtain proof of mailing.
— For priority consideration, submit application by date specified.
— Deadline by midnight, Central Daylight Time.
— Deadline by midnight, Central Standard Time.
— Deadline may be by date received, date postmarked or date form was processed.

Student Financial Aid Deadlines by State:

States from A-D

• Alabama — Check with your financial aid administrator.
• Alaska — AK Education Grant – ASAP after January 1, 2015.
  AK Performance Scholarship – due June 30, 2015.
  Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
  
• Arizona — Check with your financial aid administrator.
  
• Arkansas — Academic Challenge – June 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  Workforce Grant – check with your financial aid administrator.
  Higher Education Opportunity Grant – June 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  
• California — For many state financial aid programs, date postmarked must be March 2, 2015.
  Cal Grant requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2015. Additional community college awards must be postmarked by September 2, 2015.
  Notes: You’re also encouraged to obtain proof of mailing and additional forms may apply.
  If you are a non-citizen holding a Social Security card issued through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or for some other work authorization, you should fill out the California Dream Act Application found at www.caldreamact.org, NOT a FAFSA form.
  
• Colorado — Check with your financial aid administrator.
  
• Connecticut — February 15, 2015
  Notes: For priority consideration, submit application by the specified date. You’re also encouraged to obtain proof of mailing and additional forms may apply. Contact your financial aid administrator or state agency for additional information.
  
• Delaware — April 15, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  
• District of Columbia — FAFSA completed by April 1, 2015
  For DCTAG, complete the DC OneApp and submit supporting documents by April 30, 2015.

States from F-L

• Florida — May 15, 2015
  Notes: This is the date the form must be processed by, not received or postmarked so make sure to leave a little leeway!
  
• Georgia — Check with your financial aid administrator.
  
• Hawaii — Check with you financial aid administrator.
  Notes: You may need to fill out an additional form.
  
• Idaho — Opportunity Grant – March 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  Notes: For priority consideration, submit application by the specified date. Also, an additional form may be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or state agency for additional information.
  
• Illinois — ASAP after January 1, 2015.
  Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
  
• Indiana — March 10, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  
• Iowa — July 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  Notes: Earlier priority deadlines may apply for certain programs and an additional form may be required.
  
• Kansas — April 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  Notes: For priority consideration, submit application by the specified date. Also, an additional form may be required. Contact your financial aid administrator or state agency for additional information.
  
• Kentucky — ASAP after January 1, 2015.
  Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
  
• Louisiana — June 30, 2016
  Notes: Turning it in by July 1, 2015 is strongly recommended.

States from M-O

• Maine — May 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  
• Maryland — March 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  
• Massachusetts — May 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  Notes: For priority consideration, submit application by the specified date.
  
• Michigan — March 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  
• Minnesota — 30 days after term starts (by midnight CST).
  
• Mississippi — MTAG and MESG Grants – September 15, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  HELP Scholarship – March 13, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  
• Missouri — April 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  
• Montana — March 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  Notes: For priority consideration, submit application by the specified date.
  
• Nebraska — Check with your financial aid administrator.
  
• Nevada — Check with your financial aid administrator.
  Notes: An additional form may be required.
  
• New Hampshire — Check with your financial aid administrator.
  Notes: An additional form may be required.
  
• New Jersey — 2014-2015 Tuition Aid Grant recipients – June 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  All other applications – October 1, 2015 by midnight, CST for fall and spring terms.
  March 1, 2016 by midnight, CST for spring term only.
  
• New Mexico — Check with your financial aid administrator.
  
• New York — June 30, 2016 by midnight, CST.
  Notes: An additional form may be required.
  
• North Carolina — ASAP after January 1, 2015.
  Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
  
• North Dakota — April 15, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  Notes: Earlier priority deadlines may apply for institutional programs and, for priority consideration, submit application by the specified date.
  
• Ohio — Check with your financial aid administrator.
  Notes: An additional form may be required.
  
• Oklahoma — March 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  Notes: For priority consideration, submit application by the specified date.
  
• Oregon — OSAC Private Scholarships – March 1, 2015.
  Oregon Opportunity Grant – ASAP after January 1, 2015.
  Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
  

States from P-T

• Pennsylvania — All first-time applicants at a community college; a business/trade/technical school; a hospital school of nursing; or enrolled in a non-transferable two-year program – August 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  All other applicants – May 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  
• Rhode Island — March 1, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  Notes: For priority consideration, submit application by the specified date.
  
• South Carolina — Tuition Grants – June 30, 2014
  SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based Grants – ASAP after January 1, 2014.
  Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
  
• South Dakota — Tuition Grants – June 30, 2015 by midnight, CST.
  SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based Grants ASAP after January 1, 2015. Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
  
• Tennessee — For State Grant – March 1, 2015 (see notes for details)
  For State Lottery – fall term, September 1, 2015 by midnight CST; spring & summer terms, February 1, 2016 by midnight, CST.
  Notes: Prior-year recipients of State Grant will receive an award, if eligible. All other awards are given to neediest applicants who have met the March 1, 2015 deadline until funds are depleted.
  
• Texas — Check with your financial aid administrator.

States from U-W

• Utah — Check with your financial aid administrator.
  
• Vermont — ASAP after January 1, 2015.
  Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted. An additional form may be required.
  
• Virginia— Check with your financial aid administrator.
  Notes: An additional form may be required.
  
• Washington— ASAP after January 1, 2015.
  Notes: Why ASAP? Awards made until funds are depleted.
  
• West Virginia — PROMISE Scholarship – March 1, 2015. New applicants must submit an additional application, available at CFWV.com. Contact your financial aid administrator or state agency for additional information.
  WV Higher Education Grant Program – April 15, 2015
  
• Wisconsin — Check with your financial aid administrator.
  
• Wyoming — Check with your financial aid administrator.
  Notes: An additional form may be required.
  
• All Other U.S. Territories — Check with your financial aid administrator or state agency for details.

To find out more information regarding financial aid deadlines, visit https://fafsa.ed.gov/fotw1516/pdf/Deadlines.pdf.

Information compiled from http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. To complete the FAFSA, go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm.

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