When Do I Need to Complete the FAFSA to Meet College Deadlines?

For the 2021-22 academic year, the FAFSA deadline for college is June 30, 2022. After that date, students cannot submit the FAFSA form. However, some colleges and states set deadlines earlier than the official federal deadline. Rather than setting a deadline, some states advise learners to submit the FAFSA form as soon as possible.

A late FAFSA submission can cost students scholarships and state grants. Learners should research FAFSA deadlines for their state and school. The following guide provides information to help learners meet the deadline to qualify for financial aid.

Does It Matter When You Apply for FAFSA as Long as It's Before the Deadline?

Each year, applicants can submit the FAFSA form as early as October 1. For the 2021-22 academic year, the federal FAFSA deadline for college is June 30, 2022. However, learners should not wait until the deadline to file the FAFSA.

Many colleges and states set deadlines that are earlier than the federal deadline. In addition, states often provide college grant funding on a first-come-first-served basis. Learners should submit the FAFSA form as soon as possible to ensure their state does not run out of funds.

Do I Have to Wait Until Our Tax Return Is Out to File FAFSA?

Individuals can submit the FAFSA form before filing taxes. However, the FAFSA form requires tax information from two years prior. For example, the 2021-22 FAFSA form requires 2019 tax information. Most applicants will have already filed taxes before completing the FAFSA form.

Applicants can expedite the process by using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which automatically populates the FAFSA form with the user's tax information.

Steps to Complete the FAFSA

Students fill out the FAFSA form to apply for grants, scholarships, and federal student loans. The following list walks through the process of completing the form before the FAFSA deadline for college.