Updated: Aug 20, 2025 by Leah Kim, chief editor — ScholarshipsAndGrants.us

FAFSA Deadlines (2025–26 & 2026–27)

All dates and links below were checked today. If you only read one section, read the “3 must-know dates” and the state highlights.

🚦3 must-know dates (bookmark these)

🗺️ State priority highlights (examples)

State money is often first-come, first-served. These are common check points; always confirm your state’s page.

State Priority date Notes
California Apr 2, 2025 Cal Grant priority; CC Cal Grant by Sep 2, 2025. California State Athletic Commission
Texas Feb 15, 2025 State priority date extended for 2025–26. reportcenter.highered.texas.gov, THECB
New York (TAP) Jun 30, 2026 State grant deadline for AY 2025–26. HESC
Indiana Apr 15, 2025 Frank O’Bannon & 21st Century Scholars. Federal Student Aid
Florida — State uses FFAA (separate app) for many programs. Florida Student Financial Aid

Full state list (2025–26) appears on page 2 of the official FAFSA PDF (e.g., CA Mar 3 in the original list; CA later extended to Apr 2 by CSAC). When in doubt, follow your state agency update. Federal Student Aid

🧭 What to do right now (fast plan)

  1. Create your StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) — you and each contributor (parent/spouse). Federal Student Aid+1

  2. Know your year: If you’ll attend July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026, file 2025–26. If July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027, you’ll file 2026–27 when it opens. Federal Student Aid

  3. File early (don’t wait). State and campus grants can run out before the federal deadline. Federal Student Aid

  4. Fix errors quickly: You can submit corrections online up to Sept 12, 2026 for 2025–26. Federal Student Aid

🧰 Helpful (official) resources

❓FAQ (short + real)

1) What’s the federal deadline for 2025–26?
June 30, 2026 (11:59 p.m. CT). Corrections due Sept 12, 2026. States/campuses may be earlier. Federal Student Aid

2) I missed my state’s priority date—still worth filing?
Yes. You can still get federal aid up to the federal deadline; you may also qualify for campus aid. Submit ASAP and call your aid office. Federal Student Aid

3) Which FAFSA do I pick?
Match your attendance window: 2025–26 covers July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026; 2026–27 covers July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. Federal Student Aid

4) When does 2026–27 FAFSA open?
By Oct 1, 2025 (official FSA timeline). File early for state/campus funds. Federal Student Aid

5) I’m in California—why do I see two dates?
The FAFSA PDF shows the original list (e.g., Mar 3), but CSAC extended priority to Apr 2, 2025 (plus Sep 2 for CC). Follow CSAC’s posted dates. Federal Student Aid, California State Athletic Commission

6) Florida keeps mentioning “FFAA.” Do I still do FAFSA?
Many Florida programs use the FFAA (separate state application). You should still complete the FAFSA for federal aid and many college funds. Florida Student Financial Aid

7) Who needs an FSA ID?
You and every contributor (parent/spouse) who provides info and signs online. Create accounts before you start. Federal Student Aid

8) I submitted with a mistake. Can I fix it?
Yes—update your FAFSA online. For 2025–26, corrections are due by Sept 12, 2026. Federal Student Aid

🎯 UX/SEO upgrades we’ll ship on this page

  • Hero strip with the three dates (big bold): Federal submit / Corrections / Next FAFSA open.

  • State tiles for top-traffic states (CA, TX, NY, FL, IN) linking to official pages.

  • Deadline pill badges (“✅ Verified Aug 20, 2025”) beside each link.

  • FAQPage schema for the questions above.

  • Sticky “Apply Now” button to StudentAid.gov and “Find Your State” anchor to our state section.

  • Nudge copy: “File early—state/campus funds can run out.”

If you want, I can also add a mini Indiana callout (since you’re in Nashville, IN) right under the hero with the Frank O’Bannon and 21st Century Scholars date from the federal PDF. Federal Student Aid

Everything here is verified as of Aug 20, 2025. If a state tweaks a date, we’ll update the pill and note the change in the state tile.