When Should You File the FAFSA?

Filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) isn’t just another box to check. It’s the difference between paying full price for college and getting thousands shaved off your tuition bill. The timing? That’s where most students slip up.

The FAFSA is Open for 2026–2027

The FAFSA opens October 1 each year. For the 2026–2027 school year, here’s what to know:

• FAFSA open: Now live for 2026–2027
• Submit by: June 30, 2027
• Make corrections by September 12, 2027

You could wait until next summer to file. But that’s like showing up to a concert after the headliner’s done. The tickets (aka grants) are gone, and the merch table’s empty.

In other words, this winter is your window. File early, get in line, and claim your spot before states and colleges start running out of funds. Because they absolutely do. 

Need help filing the FAFSA? Click that link.

Why file the FAFSA early?

Federal aid, like the Pell Grant, work-study, and Direct Loans, runs on national deadlines. But states and colleges? They play by their own rules, and many hand out funds on a first-come, first-served basis.

That means waiting even a few weeks can cost you hundreds or thousands in grants you never have to repay. 

Picture this:
Two students hit submit. One on opening day, one in March. The first student lands a full work-study slot and a state grant. The second? Gets a polite “funds exhausted” message. Same form, different timing, wildly different outcomes.

Three FAFSA deadlines you can’t ignore

Each FAFSA season comes with three clocks ticking at once:

Check both your state’s FAFSA page and your college’s financial aid website. States like California and Texas fill early. Schools like the University of Michigan or UNC-Chapel Hill often set priority deadlines months before the federal one.

Bottom line: don’t just aim for “before June.” Aim for “as soon as it opens.”

Don’t have your taxes yet? File anyway

You don’t need your final tax return to start the FAFSA. Use “prior-prior year” tax info (for example, 2023 income for the 2025–26 form). You can update it later using the Direct Data Exchange with the IRS.

Waiting for tax season just delays your aid. File, estimate, and then update. It’s totally allowed.

What Happens If You File the FAFSA Late?

Filing the FAFSA after your school or state deadline doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting aid. But it can shrink the amount and type of aid you qualify for. 

You might still get federal aid

The good news: federal programs like Direct Loans and the Pell Grant stay open until the federal FAFSA deadline (June 30 for the academic year you’re applying for).

So even if you file late, you could still qualify for:

• Federal student loans (subsidized or unsubsidized)
• Pell Grants (if you meet income requirements)
• Federal work-study (if your school still has spots open)

But here’s the twist: your school and state may run out of money long before June.

You’ll likely miss out on state and school aid

Most states and colleges have priority deadlines that are months earlier. Some are as early as January or February. These funds are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Miss that window, and you could lose:

• State grants and scholarships
• College-specific aid (institutional scholarships or need-based grants)
• Early access to work-study jobs

Even if you’re technically still “eligible,” the pool of available funds gets smaller by the week.

Your financial aid package might be smaller

Submitting the FAFSA later can affect not just what aid you get but how much.

Example:

• Early filer: $6,500 Pell Grant + $2,000 state grant + $1,500 work-study.
• Late filer: $6,500 Pell Grant, and that’s it.

Same income, same college. But just different timing. That’s why advisors always say “file early” and actually mean it.

You could miss payment deadlines

Many colleges need your FAFSA on file before they can finalize your tuition bill or let you register for classes. If your FAFSA is late, your account might show a balance you technically don’t owe yet.

That delay can lead to:

• Payment holds
• Late fees
• A scramble to set up temporary payment plans

Not fun. Especially when it’s preventable.

What to do if you missed filing the FAFSA

Still file. Always. Even if it’s late, it’s better than skipping it. You’ll lock in any remaining federal aid, and your FAFSA info could qualify you for scholarships next semester or next year.

Then, mark next year’s FAFSA open date in your calendar. It’s October 1. 

Bottom line:
Filing late doesn’t mean zero aid, but it usually means less free money. File as soon as you can, even if you missed the first wave. Every dollar of grant money you grab now is one less dollar you’ll have to borrow

How to plan your FAFSA application timeline 

Here’s what your FAFSA prep might look like if you’re a high school senior or first-year college student:

Filing the FAFSA is always free

Filing the FAFSA is free. Always. If a site asks for payment or “premium processing,” it’s a scam. Only file at studentaid.gov.

Also, you need to refile every year you’re in college. Aid isn’t automatic, and neither is renewal.

TLDR: File the FAFSA now

Think of the FAFSA like concert tickets to your dream school. The doors open, and the best seats (aka grants and work-study slots) go first. Waiting until spring? You’re in the nosebleeds, or worse, watching from home.

But don’t stop at federal aid. Scholarships can stack on top of your FAFSA money, and many don’t even ask whether or not you got that kind of financial aid. Start applying early to boost your financial safety net before tuition bills drop.