So when is the FAFSA deadline for 2025-2026?

[EKT]

My daughter is a rising senior who is applying to colleges this fall and plans to actually begin college in the fall of 2025. I am marking my calendar with all sorts of application deadlines, etc., and am curious if we know when the FAFSA deadline will be? (October 1st? December 1st?) The FAFSA site still only has stuff for this year. Thanks!

[Lori D.]

NOT that it MEANS anything, lol, BUT... when I was doing an online search for that info, I was seeing several COLLEGES listing Oct. 1, 2024 as the opening date for filling out the FAFSA for the 2025-2026 school year.

That may be wishful thinking?? But I am seeing that the FAFSA for the 2024-2025 year, after a VERY delayed opening, closed on June 30, 2024 (so, just over a month ago), with ability to make adjustments or late applications by special request up through mid-September 2024. So, I would imagine that FAFSA would close the books on the 2024-2025 year by no later than mid-September, which would potentially give them the ability to open up for the 2025-2026 year on Oct. 1st of 2024... we shall see... 😉

Edited August 3 by Lori D.

[kokotg]

Historically, the FAFSA opens on October 1. It doesn't close until June 30. Individual schools will have different deadlines; my kids' schools usually wanted it at the same time the application was due or thereabouts. A lot of people always rush to fill it out as soon as it opens, but there's usually no reason to do that (and it can be better to wait a few days so there's less chance of running into traffic-related issues). But, of course, we'll have to wait and see if things are back to normal this year! But, basically, you need to check individual school's websites to know what their FAFSA deadlines are.

[Lori D.]

Just found this, from a Jun 17, 2024 news release on the Federal Student Aid website:

"We have heard from students, families, institutions, states, and those that support them that it is important for the 2025-26 FAFSA form to launch on October 1. The Department is working toward this goal and will share updates about additional functionalities as we learn more. To ensure a smooth user experience during the upcoming FAFSA cycle, the 2025-26 FAFSA form will remain consistent with the 2024-25 form..."

_____________________

So, not an official announcement yet. Just a statement of: "we hear you that you want an Oct. 1st date... we'll see what we can do..." 😉 

[Lucy the Valiant]

1 hour ago, Lori D. said:

Just found this, from a Jun 17, 2024 news release on the Federal Student Aid website:

"We have heard from students, families, institutions, states, and those that support them that it is important for the 2025-26 FAFSA form to launch on October 1. The Department is working toward this goal and will share updates about additional functionalities as we learn more. To ensure a smooth user experience during the upcoming FAFSA cycle, the 2025-26 FAFSA form will remain consistent with the 2024-25 form..."

_____________________

So, not an official announcement yet. Just a statement of: "we hear you that you want an Oct. 1st date... we'll see what we can do..." 😉 

. . . which, being translated into Middle School Homeschool Kid reads . . . "Yeah, yeah, sure, mom, I'll get to it . . . plenty of time, how hard could it be?!" 😉 

[cintinative]

SIGH.  It's delayed until December 1st.  

https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-department-education-announces-schedule-and-new-process-launch-2025-26-fafsa-form

https://www.ncan.org/news/679312/ED-Announces-2025-26-FAFSA-To-Open-December-1-with-Full-Functionality.htm?fbclid=IwY2xjawEg1jdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQO6He3a9C9jstmJxsV-J_YjmcW0XN7tAR1Nf6aUCzbXTk1hPtwCsTuyqw_aem_aQ0MYDvP27gy3bANJ4N20A

Edited August 7 by cintinative

[Lori D.]

bah 🤨