FAFSA Deadline 2023: Get Application Form and Apply Now

Filed in Scholarships Update by TMLT Editorials on May 5, 2023

FAFSA deadline is a crucial date for students seeking financial aid for their college education. Submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the deadline is necessary to qualify for financial assistance.

The FAFSA Deadline

To qualify for federal student aid in a given academic year, it is imperative to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the FAFSA deadline.

Although you can file the 2023-2024 FAFSA until June 2024, it is crucial to keep track of state and college-specific deadlines. Additionally, it is equally essential to remember the FAFSA application opening date.

Why you Should File your FAFSA Early

Submitting the FAFSA application early can increase the likelihood of receiving financial aid awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

Filing late can result in the depletion of work-study program funding. Filing the FAFSA promptly also improves your chances of meeting state or college-specific deadlines.

Deadline for Filing FAFSA for the 2023 Academic Year

Late submission of the FAFSA, even though the final deadline for the 2023-2024 academic year is June 30, 2024, can lead to the forfeiture of financial aid for the fall and spring terms, including federal student loans, if it misses the state or college-specific deadline.

For example, if you file on June 1, 2024, for the 2023-2024 academic year, you may only be eligible for federal student loans for summer classes as the spring semester would have already ended on May 15.

However, if you submit the FAFSA before the end of the spring semester, you may be eligible for federal student loans for the fall and spring terms in addition to the summer term.

You can also backdate loans for the fall semester by completing the FAFSA before the spring semester concludes.

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State and School FAFSA Deadlines

Although the FAFSA deadline of June 30 and the opening date of October 1 are always the same, each state and school may have different FAFSA deadlines.

For example, Alaska requests FAFSA submission and Alaska Education Grant application soon after October 1 for the next academic year because the grant is only offered until the money runs out.

For the fall term of the 2023-2024 academic year, California recommends submitting the FAFSA application by March 2, 2023, while Arkansas has set a deadline of July 1, 2023.

Schools and states typically use the financial information provided on the FAFSA as a starting point for assessing financial need, and not submitting it in time for annual award package calculations can significantly reduce the chances of receiving financial aid for the upcoming academic year.

It is crucial to note that state scholarships and grants may necessitate further applications aside from the FAFSA.

Hence, it is important to check for such requests towards the end of the FAFSA application and verify the state’s Department of Education website for the necessary applications.

School Deadlines Beyond FAFSA Deadlines

Meeting the school’s FAFSA deadline is essential, but individual scholarship and grant deadlines are equally important.

Applying as early as possible increases your chances of being awarded university grants on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additionally, each school has its own financial aid award letter distribution timeline. To find out about the deadlines and opening dates specific to your financial and academic situation, inquire with the financial aid offices of your top schools.

Keep in mind that certain scholarships and grants may require additional applications beyond the FAFSA.

CSN Team.

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