FAFSA deadlines by state (2027-28)
The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2028, but most state money has a much earlier deadline, and some states give it out first come, first served until it runs out. Find your state below. If your college has its own deadline, the earliest date is the one that counts.
Deadlines by state
This is StudentAid.gov's official wording for each state, checked against each state's own aid agency. Where the two say different things, we note it.
| State | Deadline (2027-28 FAFSA) |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information on available state aid and deadlines. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. |
| Alaska | Alaska Education Grant Apply using the FAFSA form as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. Aid is awarded until all funds run out. Alaska Performance Scholarship For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA form by June 30, 2027. Aid is awarded until all funds run out. First come, first served |
| Arizona | Arizona Promise Program For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA form by April 1, 2027. |
| Arkansas | Governor’s Scholars Program–Distinguished Submit your FAFSA form by March 1, 2027. Academic Challenge and Governor’s Scholars Program–Non-Distinguished Submit your FAFSA form by July 1, 2027. Arkansas Future Grant Grants are available for the fall and spring terms: For the fall term, submit your FAFSA form by July 1, 2027. For the spring term, submit your FAFSA form by Jan. 10, 2028. |
| California | State Financial Aid Programs For most state financial aid programs, submit your FAFSA form no later than March 2, 2027 (date postmarked). Cal Grant Cal Grant requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2027. For additional community college Cal Grants, submit your FAFSA form by Sept. 2, 2027 (date postmarked). California Dream Act If you’re a noncitizen without a Social Security card or had a Social Security card issued through the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, fill out the California Dream Act Application at dream.csac.ca.gov. Contact the California Student Aid Commission at csac.ca.gov or your financial aid office for more information. |
| Colorado | Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information on available state aid and deadlines. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. |
| Connecticut | Feb. 15, 2027 For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA form by Feb. 15, 2027, midnight Central time. Contact your state agency or the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for more information. You may need to complete and submit additional forms. |
| Delaware | May 15, 2027 Submit your FAFSA form by May 15, 2027, by midnight Central time. Note: Delaware's own scholarship table lists May 17, 2027. Filing by May 15 is the safe choice. |
| District of Columbia | June 25, 2027 For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA form by June 25, 2027. DC Tuition Assistance Grant To receive priority consideration, complete the DC OneApp and submit supporting documents by July 1, 2027. Note: DC's Tuition Assistance Grant hasn't posted 2027-28 dates yet (last year's window closed Aug. 21). |
| Florida | May 15, 2027 Submit your FAFSA form by May 15, 2027 (date processed). Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for more information. |
| Georgia | ASAP After Oct. 1, 2026 Submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for more information. You may need to complete and submit additional forms. Visit GAfutures.org for additional information. |
| Hawaii | Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information on available state aid and deadlines. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. |
| Idaho | Opportunity Scholarship Submit your FAFSA form by March 1, 2027, midnight Mountain time. You may need to complete and submit additional forms. Contact your state agency or the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for more information. |
| Illinois | ASAP After Oct. 1, 2026 For the Monetary Award Program, submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. Aid is awarded until all funds run out. Visit isac.org for more information. First come, first served |
| Indiana | April 15, 2027 Submit your FAFSA form by April 15, 2027, for the following state aid programs: Adult Student Grant Workforce Ready Grant Frank O’Bannon Grant 21st Century Scholarship Note: Per Indiana's own pages, April 15 applies to the Frank O'Bannon Grant and 21st Century Scholars; the Adult Student Grant and Workforce Ready Grant don't use it. |
| Iowa | July 1, 2027 Submit your FAFSA form by July 1, 2027, midnight Central time. Earlier priority deadlines may exist for certain programs. Contact the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for more information. You may need to complete and submit additional forms. |
| Kansas | April 1, 2027 For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA form by April 1, 2027, midnight Central time. Contact your state agency or the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for more information. You may need to complete and submit additional forms. |
| Kentucky | ASAP After Oct. 1, 2026 Apply using the FAFSA form as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. Aid is awarded until all funds run out. First come, first served |
| Louisiana | June 30, 2028 Submit your FAFSA form by June 30, 2028. It is recommended that you submit your FAFSA form by Feb. 1, 2027. Note: Louisiana's own TOPS cutoff for the Class of 2027 is July 1, 2028, but filing by Feb. 1, 2027 is recommended. |
| Maine | May 1, 2027 Submit your FAFSA form by May 1, 2027 (date received). |
| Maryland | March 1, 2027 Submit your FAFSA form by March 1, 2027 (date received) for the Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards Program. |
| Massachusetts | May 1, 2027 For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA form by May 1, 2027, midnight Central time. Note: Massachusetts hasn't posted its own 2027-28 date yet (last year's state deadline was June 30), so treat May 1 as the date to beat. |
| Michigan | July 1, 2027 For the Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant, submit your FAFSA form by July 1, 2027, midnight Central time for priority consideration. |
| Minnesota | State Grant Submit your FAFSA form by the 30th day of the term. North Star Promise Submit your FAFSA form by June 1, 2027, to meet the priority deadline. Other Aid Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. |
| Mississippi | HELP Grant Submit your FAFSA form no later than April 30, 2027, by midnight Central time (CT). MTAG and MESG Grants Submit your FAFSA form by Oct. 15, 2027, by midnight CT. |
| Missouri | Feb. 1, 2027 For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA form by Feb. 1, 2027. Applications are accepted through April 1, 2027, by midnight Central time. |
| Montana | ASAP After Oct. 1, 2026 For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for more information. You may need to complete and submit additional forms. |
| Nebraska | Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information on available state aid and deadlines. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. |
| Nevada | Silver State Opportunity Grant Submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. Grants are made until all funds run out. Nevada Promise Scholarship Submit your FAFSA form by April 1, 2027. You may need to complete and submit additional forms. Aid is awarded until all funds run out. Other Aid Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. First come, first served |
| New Hampshire | Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information on available state aid and deadlines. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. |
| New Jersey | 2026–27 Tuition Aid Grant Recipients Submit your FAFSA form by April 15, 2027, 11 p.m. Central time (CT). Other Tuition Aid Grant Applicants If you’re applying for both the fall and spring terms, submit your FAFSA form by Sept. 15, 2027, 11 p.m. CT. If you’re applying for spring term only, submit your FAFSA form by Feb. 15, 2028, 11 p.m. CT. |
| New Mexico | Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information on available state aid and deadlines. Priority consideration varies by school. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. |
| New York | June 30, 2028 Submit your FAFSA form by June 30, 2028, midnight Central time. You may need to complete and submit additional forms. |
| North Carolina | Deadlines by School Type For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA form by the date listed for the type of school you attend: Private Institutions: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026 UNC System Institutions and Community Colleges: June 1, 2027 Aid is awarded until all funds run out. Visit CFNC.org for more information. First come, first served |
| North Dakota | ASAP After Oct. 1, 2026 Submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. Aid is awarded until all funds run out. First come, first served |
| Ohio | Oct. 1, 2027 Submit your FAFSA form by Oct. 1, 2027, by midnight Central times. |
| Oklahoma | Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information on available state aid and deadlines. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. |
| Oregon | Oregon Grants For the Oregon Opportunity Grant, submit your FAFSA form or the Oregon Student Aid Application as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. Grants are awarded until all funds run out. For the Oregon Promise Grant and other state grants, contact Oregon's Office of Student Access and Completion for information. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. OSAC Private Scholarships Submit your FAFSA form by March 1, 2027. You may need to complete and submit additional forms. First come, first served |
| Pennsylvania | May 1, 2027 Most students must apply using the FAFSA form by May 1, 2027. You may need to complete and submit additional forms. Aug. 1, 2027 The FAFSA form must be submitted by Aug. 1, 2027, for all first-time applicants enrolled in a community college, business school, trade or technical school, hospital school of nursing, designated Pennsylvania open-admission institution, or nontransferable two-year program. |
| Rhode Island | Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information on available state aid and deadlines. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. |
| South Carolina | SC Commission on Higher Education Need-Based Grants Submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. Grants are first come, first served. Grants are made until all funds run out. SC Tuition Grants Submit your FAFSA form by Aug. 1, 2027, midnight Central time for independent institutions only in the state of South Carolina. First come, first served |
| South Dakota | Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information on available state aid and deadlines. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. |
| Tennessee | State Grant If you received the state grant during the 2026–27 school year, submit your FAFSA form by April 1, 2027. All other awards are made on a first come, first served basis. Grants are made until all funds run out. Tennessee Promise Submit your FAFSA form by April 1, 2027. State Lottery Programs For the fall term, submit your FAFSA form by Sept. 1, 2027, midnight Central time (CT). For the spring term, submit your FAFSA form by March 1, 2028, midnight CT. For the summer term, submit your FAFSA form by May 1, 2028, midnight CT. Note: Tennessee's other state grants go to the neediest students who filed early — file as close to Oct. 1 as you can. |
| Texas | Jan. 15, 2027 For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA form by Jan. 15, 2027. You may need to complete and submit additional forms. Private and two-year institutions may have different deadlines. Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information. |
| Utah | Opportunity Scholarship Visit opportunityscholarship.org for application information, including requirements and the FAFSA deadline. Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information on available state aid and deadlines. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. Aid is awarded until all funds run out. First come, first served |
| Vermont | ASAP After Oct. 1, 2026 Submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. You may need to complete and submit additional forms. Aid is awarded until all funds run out. First come, first served |
| Virginia | ASAP After Oct. 1, 2026 Submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. Deadlines vary by institution. Contact the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for more information. Virginia Alternative State Aid Application Students who are ineligible for federal student aid but meet state financial aid program and residency requirements should complete the Virginia Alternative State Aid Application at levelupvirginia.org/finance/financial-aid/vasa-application. Contact the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for more information. |
| Washington | ASAP After Oct. 1, 2026 Submit your FAFSA form as soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2026. Contact the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for more information. Washington Application for State Financial Aid Students who are ineligible for federal student aid but meet state financial aid program and residency requirements should complete the Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) at wsac.wa.gov/wasfa instead of the FAFSA form. Contact the Washington Student Achievement Council at wasfa@wsac.wa.gov or the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for more information. |
| West Virginia | PROMISE Scholarship Submit your FAFSA form by March 1, 2027. New applicants must complete and submit the additional form at cfwv.com. Contact your state agency or the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for more information. West Virginia State Grants For the WV Higher Education Grant, submit your FAFSA form by April 15, 2027. For the WV Invests Grant, submit your FAFSA form by April 15, 2027, to receive priority consideration. Applicants must complete an additional form at cfwv.com. |
| Wisconsin | Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information on available state aid and deadlines. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. |
| Wyoming | Contact Your Financial Aid Office Check with the financial aid office at the college or career school you plan to attend for information on available state aid and deadlines. You may need to complete and submit forms in addition to the FAFSA form. |
Questions
- What happens if I miss my state's FAFSA deadline?
- You can still file and get federal aid; missing a state deadline doesn't affect it. You may miss out on that state's grants for the year, so check with your state's aid agency or your school's financial aid office, and file anyway.
- What does "first come, first served" mean for the FAFSA?
- The state hands out its grant money in the order forms arrive until it runs out, so filing early matters a lot.
We checked these facts against official sources (studentaid.gov and each state's financial aid agency) on the date above. Deadlines and amounts change every year, so always confirm on studentaid.gov or with your school's financial aid office. StudentSoar explains how aid works; we can't give advice about your individual situation. Find scholarships and grants you qualify for.