FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID (FAFSA) ONLINE APPLICATION

The FAFSA application is the first step if you're interested in obtaining federal, state and/or college financial aid for your college-bound child.  You are able to complete and submit the FAFSA application online.  However, you may find it helpful to reivew a hard copy of the FAFSA application before completing it online.  The following academic years are currently available for submission:

2025 - 2026 (coming soon)
2024 - 2025
2023 - 2024
2022 - 2023

NOTE: Opening day for the FAFSA application is now October 1 of each year.  It will apply to the following academic year, and the most current year's tax return will be used to complete the application.  Here is a chart to help you better understand the permanent changes that were made beginning with the 2017-18 academic year.

IMPORTANT: Your child may be considered a dependent for financial aid purposes even if he/she is not a dependent for income tax purposes.  Unless your child can answer "yes" to any of the questions listed at the bottom of Page 5 of the FAFSA application, he/she will need to include parent's information.

DEADLINES 

FEDERAL

You have until midnight (Central Time) of June 30 for the applicable school year to submit your FAFSA application.  Any corrections or updates must be submitted by midnight (Central Time) of the second Saturday in September for the applicable school year.

STATE
Although you have an extended period of time to apply for federal financial aid, the deadline for any potential state financial aid varies by state.  To search state deadlines for the 2023-2024 academic year, click here.

COLLEGE
Each college has its own deadline for any financial aid it awards to its students.  Please check with each college as the deadline may vary.

*Make sure to get clarification as to the definition of application deadline for each state and/or college.  It may be the date the state/college receives the FAFSA application or the date the FAFSA application is processed.

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES

We understand that college is a big investment for many families.  If you are able to cover some/most/all of the cost of your child's higher education, fantastic!  However, for most families, the need to finance their child's education is necessary especially as costs continue to rise.  If you and your child work together and dedicate time and effort, you will find an endless amount of funding opportunities.

Here are some websites that offer an abundance of resources:

COLLEGE BOARD
The place for SAT preparation and sign-up, CLEP & AP exam information as well as connecting students to college success and opportunity.

U.S. NEWS EDUCATION
Great source of information for all levels of education from high school to graduate school.

FASTWEB'S FREE SCHOLARSHIPS SEARCH
Try Fastweb for free and find scholarships you qualify for.  Fastweb will match you to scholarships from its database of 1.5 million, based on your personal profile.  With Fastweb, you will also find financial aid tips and advice, job and internship matching and student life news.

FINAID! THE SMARTSTUDENT GUIDE TO FINANCIAL AID
Find information on loans, scholarships and other types of financial aid.  Not only will answers to many of your financial aid questions be found here, but it offers an abundance of cost and savings calculators.

COLLEGE PARENTS OF AMERICA
The oldest and only membership organization comprised of current and future college parents whose purpose is to assist families with the successful transition to college life.

SAVINGFORCOLLEGE.COM
A website dedicated to provided you with trusted and unbiased information about college savings plans, financial aid and other means of saving for college.