Introduction: Understanding the Student Financial Struggle
It’s no secret that paying for college can feel overwhelming. According to a 2025 College Ave survey of 1,060 undergraduate students conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights™, students are feeling the pressure more than ever. 61% of students said the cost of college is higher than they anticipated. Of those students who will borrow to help pay for college, they expect to borrow approximately $44,000 in student loans to bridge the gap.
Despite these challenges, the majority still believe that earning a college degree is crucial to their future. With financial aid playing such a vital role, understanding the deadlines for the FAFSA and how it works, is key. In this guide, we’ll break down when the FAFSA is due for 2025-26 school year, how to apply, and what to do if you’re still left with expenses.
Getting Familiar with the FAFSA and Securing Financial Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the gateway to federal grants, work-study programs, and federal student loans. When you submit the FAFSA, the government (at the federal and state levels) and some colleges use your information to determine how much financial aid you’re eligible to receive.
Financial aid can come in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study, and federal student loans. Many families will use a variety of resources to help pay for college.
Key Dates for Submitting Your FAFSA for 2025-26
Federal Deadline for FAFSA 2025-26
When is the FAFSA due for 2025-26? The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2026. That means you must submit your FAFSA by this date to be considered for federal financial aid.
State and School-Specific Deadlines
It’s critical to know that many states and colleges have much earlier deadlines—some as early as February or March 2025. Missing these earlier cutoffs can mean missing out on grants or scholarships that are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
When Should You Submit?
The best advice? Submit your application as soon as it opens on October 1 each year. The earlier you apply, the better your chances at maximizing available aid.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Submitting Your FAFSA
Every year, thousands of students lose out on aid because of simple mistakes. Here are a few to avoid:
- Entering incorrect Social Security Numbers or income figures
- Forgetting to sign the FAFSA with your FSA ID
- Skipping questions, especially those about financial status
Always double-check your application before submission, especially the information about your FAFSA contributors. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if needed.
What Happens After You Submit Your FAFSA?
After submitting, your information is reviewed to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI) This number helps your colleges estimate your financial need in your financial aid award package. Once that’s done, your chosen schools will send you award letters, typically shortly after application deadlines or early spring outlining the grants, scholarships, and loans you qualify for.
What Tax Year Does FAFSA Use for 2025-26?
The 2025-26 FAFSA requires income information from the 2023 tax year. That means if you or your parents filed taxes in spring 2024 for the 2023 calendar year, you’ll use that data.
Using an earlier tax year allows most people to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to import tax info directly into the FAFSA, which can help reduce errors and speed up processing.
Was the FAFSA 2025 Delayed?
The delayed opening date of the 2025-26 FAFSA caused some confusion among students applying for federal aid.
The 2025-26 FAFSA experienced a delay due to persistent issues from FAFSA 2024’s new electronic system aimed at simplifying the process. The FAFSA opened on November 21, 2024.
Applying Mid-Year for Spring 2025
If you’re attending college in the spring of 2025, it’s not too late to apply for aid. As long as you submit your FAFSA before the June 30, 2025, deadline for the 2024-25 school year, you can still receive aid for that semester.
However, some aid is limited and may have already been distributed to earlier applicants, so apply as soon as possible.
Financial Aid Takeaways
So, when is the FAFSA due for 2025-26? The federal deadline is June 30, 2026, but submitting your FAFSA early is one of the best ways to maximize your financial aid opportunities.
Make sure to use accurate tax information from the 2023 tax year, as this is what the application will require. It’s also crucial to check all deadlines—not just the federal one, but also those set by your state and college, which may be much earlier. Avoid common mistakes like inputting incorrect data or missing signatures, as even small errors can delay processing or reduce your aid package.
For more information about federal aid, read our blog about Understanding Your FAFSA Submission Summary
At College Ave, we understand the financial stress that comes with paying for college. That’s why we offer flexible student loan solutions that work with your budget and goals. Whether you need to cover the full cost of attendance or just a small gap after financial aid, we’re here to help make your education more affordable.
About the Survey
The College Ave survey conducted by Barnes & Noble College Insights™ in March 2025 had 1,060 undergraduate students attending 4-year colleges across the U.S.
