When does fafsa open for 2023-2024

With October comes the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2023-2024 school season! This year, the application has a few updates, including some big FAFSA updates thanks to a bill that passed in December 2021.

Read on to discover what major changes the FAFSA form has in store as well as some important dates and information you should note.

When Does the 2023-2024 FAFSA Become Available?

The FAFSA for 2023-2024 financial aid award year will become available on October 1st, 2022. The deadline for this financial aid award year is June 30th, 2024. It’s generally not recommended you wait that long to complete it, however. Many schools and states have much earlier deadlines for financial aid packages, and the longer you wait, the less likely you are to receive institutional grant aid from colleges. Find the FAFSA deadline 2022 by state at FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid.

2022-2023 FAFSA Updates

In December 2021, Congress passed a package that included emergency pandemic relief as well as policy changes for higher education. A number of changes will go into effect on July 1st, 2023, but some will already be reflected on the upcoming FAFSA.

These FAFSA Changes include:

  • The application will only have, at most, 36 questions, down from 108.
  • The Student Aid Index (SAI) is being replaced with the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which will help students and their families make better sense of their award letters.
  • Additional information will be supplied regarding Pell Grant eligibility ahead of time if students wish to check.
  • Pell Grants are available again to those who have been in jail or prison, have drug-related convictions, and men who haven’t registered for Selective Service.
  • Questions regarding Selective Service and drug conviction eligibility have also been entirely removed.
  • Easier application processes for those in foster care or homeless.
  • The myStudent Aid app was also retired at the end of June, 2022.

In addition, the look and feel of FAFSA has been updated. It is more user friendly, site navigation is easier, and applicants can say whether they’re a student, parent, or preparer before the application is started. Helpful text and explanations have also been included on the online form itself to provide information about what documents or details are needed from the applicant. This is an effort to make the FAFSA much easier to understand and complete.

Ready to File the FAFSA?

There are some significant changes coming to the FAFSA this October, and it’s important to understand how those impact you and your ability to get financial aid. To properly prepare for your application, you should also have a few documents and information on hand, including

  • Your Social Security number or Alien Registration number if you are not a United States citizen
  • Yours and/or your parents’ federal income tax returns, W-2s, and other income details
  • Records of any untaxed income
  • Your FSA ID
  • Bank statements
  • Records of investments

It’s important to complete your FAFSA to the best of your ability and be truthful – lying on this application or making errors can have serious consequences.

The FAFSA usually has some updates year to year, but the 2023-2024 financial aid award year will definitely see some major changes for applicants. Most of them are designed to make the FAFSA easier to complete. Remember to keep up on updates, too, if you fill out your application in later years!

Alabama AL Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Alaska1 AK AK Education Grant - As early as possible after Oct. 1, 2022

AK Performance Scholarship - June 30, 2023

AK Education Grant - As early as possible after Oct. 1, 2021

AK Performance Scholarship - June 30, 2022

American Samoa2 AS Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator; additional forms may be required Arizona AZ Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Arkansas AR Academic Challenge: July 1, 2023, by midnight CT

ArFuture Grant (fall term): July 1, 2023, by midnight CT

ArFuture Grant (spring term): Jan. 10, 2024, by midnight CT

Academic Challenge: July 1, 2022, by midnight CT

ArFuture Grant (fall term): July 1, 2022, by midnight CT

ArFuture Grant (spring term): Jan. 10, 2023, by midnight CT

California CA

For many state financial aid programs: March 2, 2023 (date postmarked)

Cal Grant also requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2023

For additional community college Cal Grants - September 2, 2023 - (date postmarked)

(If you’re a noncitizen without a Social Security card or had one issued through the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, you should fill out the California Dream Act Application found at dream.csac.ca.gov.

Contact the California Student Aid Commission csac.ca.gov or your financial aid administrator for more information.)

For many state financial aid programs: March 2, 2022 (date postmarked)

Cal Grant also requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2022

For additional community college Cal Grants - September 2, 2022 - (date postmarked)

(If you’re a noncitizen without a Social Security card or had one issued through the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, you should fill out the California Dream Act Application found at dream.csac.ca.gov.

Contact the California Student Aid Commission csac.ca.gov or your financial aid administrator for more information.)

Colorado CO Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Connecticut2 CT Feb. 15, 2023, by midnight CT for priority consideration; additional forms might be required Feb. 15, 2022, by midnight CT for priority consideration; additional forms might be required Delaware DE May 15, 2023, by midnight CT April 15, 2022, by midnight CT District of Columbia2 DC

July 1, 2023 (date received), for priority consideration

Aug. 1, 2023 for DCTAG, complete the DC OneApp and submit additional supporting documents for priority consideration.

Aug. 19, 2022 (date received), for priority consideration

For DCTAG, complete the DC OneApp and submit additional supporting documents on or before Aug. 26, 2022, for priority consideration.

Federated States of Micronesia2 FM Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Florida FL May 15, 2023 (date processed) May 15, 2022 (date processed) Georgia2 GA As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022. Additional forms may be required.  ASAP after Oct. 1, 2021 Guam GU Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Hawaii HI Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Idaho2 ID Opportunity Grant - March 1, 2023, by midnight CT for priority consideration.  Opportunity Grant - March 1, 2022, by midnight CT Illinois1 IL As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022. Visit Illinois Student Assistance Commission for Monetary Award Program (MAP) deadline dates.  As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021 Indiana2 IN

Adult Student Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022. New applicants must submit additional forms at ScholarTrack.IN.gov

Workforce Ready Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022

Frank O'Bannon Grant: April 15, 2023

21st Century Scholarship: April 18, 2023

Adult Student Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021. New applicants must submit additional forms at ScholarTrack.IN.gov

Workforce Ready Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021

Frank O'Bannon Grant: April 18, 2022

21st Century Scholarship: April 18, 2022

Iowa IA July 1, 2023 by midnight CT; earlier priority deadlines may exist for certain programs
July 1, 2022 by midnight CT; earlier priority deadlines may exist for certain programs Kansas2 KS April 1, 2023 by midnight CT; contact financial aid administrator or state agency, additional forms may be required April 1, 2022 (date received) Kentucky1 KY As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022 As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 202 Louisiana LA July 1, 2024 (Feb. 1, 2023 recommended) July 1, 2023 (Feb. 1, 2022 recommended) Maine ME May 1, 2023, by midnight CT May 1, 2022, by midnight CT Marshall Islands2 MH Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Maryland MD March 1, 2023, by midnight CT March 1, 2022, by midnight CT Massachusetts MA For priority consideration, May 1, 2023, by midnight CT For priority consideration, May 1, 2022, by midnight CT Michigan MI May 1, 2023, by midnight CT May 1, 2022, by midnight CT Minnesota MN 30 days after term starts, by midnight CT 30 days after term starts, by midnight CT Mississippi MS

MTAG and MESG Grants: Oct. 15, 2023 by midnight CT

HELP Scholarship: April 30, 2023 by midnight CT


MTAG and MESG Grants: Oct. 15, 2022 by midnight CT

HELP Scholarship: April 30, 2022 by midnight CT

Missouri MO For priority: Feb. 1, 2023. Applications accepted through April 1, 2023, by midnight Central time. For priority: Feb. 1, 2022. Applications accepted through April 1, 2022 by midnight CT. Montana2 MT For priority consideration, Dec. 1, 2022 - check with financial aid officer For priority consideration, Dec. 1, 2021 - check with financial aid officer Nebraska NE Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Nevada1,2 NV Silver State Opportunity Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022
Nevada Promise Scholarship: March 1, 2023

All other aid: Check with your financial aid administrator

Silver State Opportunity Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021
Nevada Promise Scholarship: March 1, 2022

All other aid: Check with your financial aid administrator

New Hampshire NH Check with your financial aid administrator
Check with your financial aid administrator New Jersey NJ

Renewal applicants(2022-2023 Tuition Aid Grant recipients): April 15, 2023 by midnight CT

All other applications:
Fall & Spring terms: Sept. 15, 2023, by midnight CT
Spring term only - February 15, 2024, by midnight CT

Renewal applicants (2021-22 Tuition Aid Grant recipients): April 15, 2022 by midnight CT

All other applications:
Fall & Spring terms: Sept. 15, 2022, by midnight CT
Spring term only - Feb. 15, 2023, by midnight CT

New Mexico NM Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator New York2 NY June 30, 2024, by midnight CT June 30, 2023, by midnight CT North Carolina1 NC As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022 As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021 North Dakota1 ND As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021 Northern Mariana Islands1 MP For priority consideration, April 30, 2023, by midnight CT April 30, 2022, by midnight CT Ohio OH Oct. 1, 2023, by midnight CT Oct. 1, 2022, by midnight CT Oklahoma1 OK As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022
As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021 Oregon1,2 OR Oregon Opportunity Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022
OSAC Private Scholarships: March 1, 2023
Oregon Promise: Contact your state agency Oregon Opportunity Grant: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021
OSAC Private Scholarships: March 1, 2022
Oregon Promise: Contact your state agency Palau2 PW Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Pennsylvania2 PA

All first-time applicants at a community college; a business/trade/technical school; designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institution; hospital school of nursing; or enrolled in a non-transferable two-year program: Aug. 1, 2023, by midnight CT

All other applicants: May 1, 2023, by midnight CT

All first-time applicants at a community college; a business/trade/technical school; designated Pennsylvania Open-Admission institution, or a hospital school of nursing; or enrolled in a non-transferable two-year program: Aug. 1, 2022, by midnight CT

All other applicants - May 1, 2022, by midnight CT

Puerto Rico PR Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Rhode Island2 RI Check with your financial aid administrator
Check with your financial aid administrator South Carolina1 SC Tuition Grants: June 30, 2023, by midnight CT
SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based grants: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022 Tuition Grants: June 30, 2022, by midnight CT
SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based grants: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021 South Dakota2 SD Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Tennessee1 TN

State Grant: March 1, 2023, prior-year recipients receive award if eligible and apply by deadline. All other awards made to neediest applicants until funds are depleted.

TN Promise: March 1, 2023, by midnight CT

State Lottery - Fall term: Sept. 1, 2023, by midnight CT

State Lottery - Spring & summer terms: Feb. 1, 2024, by midnight CT

State Grant: Feb. 1, 2022: Eligible prior-year recipients receive priority, and all other awards made to neediest applicants until funds are depleted.

For State Lottery - Fall term: Sept. 1, 2022, by midnight CT

Spring & summer terms: Feb. 1, 2023, by midnight CT

For TN Promise: Feb. 1, 2022, by midnight CT

Texas2 TX For priority consideration: Jan. 15, 2023
Private and two-year institutions may have different deadlines For priority consideration: Jan. 15, 2022
Private and two-year institutions may have different deadlines U.S. Virgin Islands2 VI Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Utah1
UT Check with your financial aid administrator

Regents’ Scholarship: Feb. 1, 2022. For priority, submit your application by Dec. 4, 2021.

Other programs: Check with your financial aid administrator. Awards are made until funds are depleted. Additional forms might be required.

Vermont1,2 VT As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022 As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021 Virginia2 VA As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022. Deadlines will vary by institution. Contact your financial aid office for more information.  Check with your financial aid administrator Washington1 WA

As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2022.

Students ineligible for federal aid but who meet state financial aid program and residency requirements should complete the Washington Application for State Financial Aid at https://wsac.wa.gov/wasfa instead of the FAFSA form. Contact the Washington Student Achievement Council (https://wsac.wa.gov/wasfa) or your financial aid administrator for more information.

As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2021.

Students ineligible for federal aid but who meet state financial aid program and residency requirements should complete the Washington Application for State Financial Aid at readysetgrad.org/wasfa instead of the FAFSA form. Contact the Washington Student Achievement Council (readysetgrad.org/wasfa) or your financial aid administrator for more information.

West Virginia2 WV

For PROMISE Scholarship: March 1, 2023
New applicants must also submit additional application at www.cfwv.com. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency.

For WV Higher Education Grant Program: April 15, 2023

For WV Invest Grant: For priority consideration by April 15, 2023

For PROMISE Scholarship - March 1, 2022

New applicants must also submit additional application at www.cfwv.com. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency.

For WV Higher Education Grant Program - April 15, 2022

For WV Invests Grant: April 15, 2022 for priority consideration

Wisconsin WI Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator Wyoming WY Check with your financial aid administrator Check with your financial aid administrator

What tax year will FAFSA use for 2023 2024?

Your Federal Income Tax Return On the 2023–24 FAFSA form, you (and your parents, if you are a dependent student) will report your 2021 income.

Is the 2023 FAFSA open?

If you're worried about gathering information to complete the FAFSA form in time to meet this deadline, don't be. For the 2023–24 FAFSA form, you can apply beginning Oct. 1, 2022. You'll need to use your 2021 tax information.

When can I renew my FAFSA for 2023?

The federal government gives students a deadline of June 30 after the school year in which they need aid — for instance, June 30, 2023, for the 2022-23 school year or June 30, 2024, for the 2023-24 school year — to file the FAFSA.

When should I fill out FAFSA for fall 2023?

The federal deadline for the 2023-24 FAFSA submission is 11:59 p.m. Central Time on June 30, 2024. But states and colleges may also have their own FAFSA deadlines, some of which are as early as January 2023. Many states encourage you to fill out your FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1.