FAFSA Application Deadline 2024: Students and families across the country have experienced delays and added stress due to the rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill on March 25 extending the deadline to May 2, 2024 for California students to file their FAFSA.
The extension allows students aiming to attend a four-year university in California to submit their applications by May 2 and still qualify for state financial aid, including CalGrants and Middle Class Scholarships.
Due to widespread rollout issues, the extension offers students much-needed relief. As a result of a glitch in the FAFSA form that failed to account for recent economic inflation, federal officials began sending out students’ FAFSA data to colleges on March 10, months later than usual. Colleges have had less time to calculate financial aid packages because of this delay.
It is crucial for students to complete the FAFSA form in order to be considered for federal student aid, as well as grants, scholarships, and loans offered by states and colleges.
What is the deadline for filing the FAFSA for fall 2024?
The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2025, with any corrections or updates due by September 14, 2025.
Colleges and career/trade schools may have their own deadlines, so students should check with their respective institutions.
“Check with the school you’re interested in attending,” reads the official government website.
In addition, you may want to inquire about the school’s definition of an application deadline. For instance, it could be the date the school receives your processed FAFSA data.
For the most up-to-date information, students are encouraged to visit the website of their state’s higher education agency.
