The official 2023 - 2024 FAFSA application is now available, and can be used for fall 2023, spring 2024 and summer 2024.
The official 2024 - 2025 FAFSA application will be available on October 1, 2023 and can be used for fall 2024, spring 2025 and summer 2025.
Last updated on September 21, 2023 by College Financial Aid Advice.
Federal and state college funds are awarded on first come, first served basis. The early bird who submits a completed FAFSA application when available (October 1 in 2023 for 2024-25 school year, will get the best college financial aid package - more grant money (grants do not need to be repaid) and better student loans. If you file your FAFSA federal student loan application later, the grants for college students may be gone, and you may only be eligible for whichever student loan programs still have money. And if you submit your FAFSA too late, all the federal and state grants and loans may be gone, so you may need to take more expensive private student loans to finance your college education. For a list of FAFSA deadlines by state for state grants, see FAFSA Deadlines.
The FAFSA and the CSS Profile are the two most common applications you will use for college loan forms.
If you are a dependent student, you will need at least one parent's financial information on your FAFSA application. To see which parental information needs to be included, see Parental Information for FAFSA Applications.
If you are applying for college in fall 2023 - spring 2024 (July 1, 2023- June 30, 2024), plan to submit the FAFSA, after you've submitted your college applications such as the Common App , so you will be prepared to submit your college loan forms applications (FAFSA and CSS Profile, if needed) after October 1, 2022.
You can submit your FAFSA starting October 1 for the next year that you plan to start college, and you must reapply for each year. The earlier you apply the better, and most schools have early deadlines, with more flexibility for community colleges.
See our links to the 2023 - 2024 online Free FAFSA on the web, printable and paper FAFSA forms at FAFSA Official Website Forms.
You can submit your FAFSA starting October 1 for the next year that you plan to start college, and you must reapply for each year. The earlier you apply the better, and most schools have early deadlines, with more flexibility for community colleges.
The official 2024 - 2025 FAFSA application will be available on October 1, 2023 and can be used for fall 2024, spring 2025 and summer 2025.
Apply early for the best aid packages. See FAFSA Deadlines by State.
Get started now with your FSA ID, which replaced the FAFSA PIN.
Want to see the form? You can download and print the FAFSA Application.
Check out the facts you may be surprised. Are You a Dependent or Independent Student?
Do You Need Parental Income on FAFSA? Probably yes but maybe not.
Scholarships for 2023 and 2024 - It is never too early or too late to work on your scholarship searches. If you are part of the high school class of 2024, you should work on your scholarship and college search now. See our list of Scholarships for High School Seniors
FAFSA - The official 2023 - 2024 FAFSA is now available. See information about FAFSA.
Scholarship Lists An overview of the different types of Scholarship Money for College.
Grants Learn more about grants, the other free money for college.
Need Tuition Help? Reduce the cost of tuition with these college Tuition Assistance Programs.
Tax Credit Claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
College Savings Plans Save money for college with these College Savings Plans.
Need a Student Loan? Yes, you qualify for these college Student Loans.
Scholarships for High School Students
FAFSA Application - The 2023-24 application is now available
How to Complete FAFSA Application
Reduce Your Expected Family Contribution
Are You a Dependent or Independent Student?