There’s a lot of planning that goes into researching, visiting, and applying to different colleges. Amid all the excitement, it can be easy to overlook a small, but very crucial detail: college application deadlines. To prevent delays and missing out on opportunities completely, it’s important to be aware of the deadlines for the specific colleges or programs you’re interested in.
You should also be aware of the different types of applications and admissions processes at each school. Your choice will determine the deadline for each application.
Read on to learn more about the important deadlines that you should know for the school year.
Applications for Early Decision
Deadline: November 1, 2025*
Early decision applications have early deadlines. They often come a few months prior to early action-many falling in November and December. If you decide to apply for early decision, you’ll have an admission decision before other students who applied through regular admission. If you’re accepted through an early decision, you will be expected to attend that school. If you think this might be the route for you, start researching the requirements for your top college choices during your junior year of high school so that you have plenty of time to apply.
Applications for Early Action
Deadline: November 1, 2025 – November 15, 2025*
College application deadlines for early action follow similar deadlines as early decision. The major difference is that you are not required to attend a specific school just because you were accepted under early action. It gives you flexibility to apply early without any major commitment.
Applications for Regular Admission
Deadline: January 1, 2026 – January 15, 2026*
Most regular admission—also known as regular decision—deadlines are in January, but specific deadlines can vary by school. Regular admission is the most popular option and has one of the latest application deadlines. Many students choose regular admission because they have more time to gather all the required application materials. This includes test scores, recommendation letters, essays, and financial aid information. Missing the application deadline can result in delays and could mean starting college later than you initially planned.
*Deadlines will vary according to school. Check with your institution.
Additional Deadlines to Keep in Mind
The Common Application
Deadline: January 1, 2026 for Regular Admission*
The Common Application (Common App) is a single college application you can use for multiple schools. About 900 colleges and universities accept the Common App, so it will save you time during the application process. The form typically opens in August, so you can get a head start in filling it out before regular admission is due.
Most schools will have their own set of specific requirements to accompany the Common App. You will likely need to gather letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, or mentors. Some applications will probably also require an essay, so having the Common Application filled out and ready to go will give you more time to draft thoughtful essays for all your applications.
Testing Deadlines
Timeline: Spring or summer of junior year or fall of senior year.
If you’re submitting SAT or ACT scores with your college applications, you’ll want to keep registration and testing deadlines in mind as well. This means finding local testing schedules and signing up to take the test ahead of college application deadlines. Many registration deadlines for SATs and ACTs are about a month before the test date, so you’ll have to plan ahead. Knowing your testing date will help you plan your studying time, too. When it comes to applying to colleges, you’ll also need to factor in the time it will take to receive your exam scores back (typically three weeks) so that they can be submitted with your college applications.
Financial Aid
Deadline: FAFSA due June 30, 2026.
Every student should fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each year that they are in school. The 2025-2026 FAFSA opened on November 18th, 2024 and is available for you to fill out now. Keep in mind that while the FAFSA itself has deadlines, individual schools and states have separate due dates for when they expect you to complete the form; a school’s FAFSA due date is typically well ahead of the date the FAFSA technically closes. It’s also a good idea to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible since some financial aid is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you miss a school deadline for filing your FAFSA, you may not receive the money you need for an upcoming semester in time to avoid late fees, or worse, you may miss your chance to get in a class altogether.
Deadline: CSS Profile – opens Fall 2025, deadlines vary by school
Students seeking institutional financial aid should complete the CSS Profile each year they plan to attend school. The form is available in the fall, but individual schools have earlier priority deadlines, often before the official due date. It’s essential to check your school’s specific deadlines and submit the form as soon as possible. Financial aid is often distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis, so delaying may result in receiving less aid. Missing your school’s CSS Profile deadline could impact on your financial aid package, potentially affecting your ability to register for classes on time or avoid late fees. Go to the College Board website to learn more about the application and deadlines.
Scholarships
While you can apply for some scholarships year-round, many scholarships have hard deadlines in place. Beyond meeting the application due date, some scholarships have requirements you’ll need to meet to qualify. It’s not too early to start looking for scholarship opportunities during your freshman and sophomore years in high school. This will give you enough time to complete requirements, such as the minimum number of public service hours.
It’s never too early to start organizing key dates and deadlines in your college search. Staying ahead with a well-planned calendar can ease the pressure and keep you focused on finding the college that’s the best fit for you. Once your applications are submitted, take time to explore other important steps like preparing for campus visits, gathering materials for scholarships, and planning your financial strategy.
To help you stay on track, check out College Ave’s guide on financial resources, filled with tips and tools to support your college journey from start to finish.
