FAFSA 2025-2026 application deadline - has it changed since last year's delays?
Can anyone confirm the ACTUAL deadline for the FAFSA for 2025-26? My daughter's starting college next fall, and I'm trying to get my ducks in a row after last year's complete disaster. I remember deadlines got pushed to August because of all the technical problems, and some schools even extended to September. Are we back to the normal June 30th federal deadline this year, or should I expect more delays? Her top choice school has a priority deadline of February 15th, but I want to make sure I understand the federal cutoff too. Last time was so confusing with all the changing dates!
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Omar Zaki
The Federal FAFSA deadline for 2025-2026 is back to the standard June 30, 2026. But remember that's just the federal deadline - each state and school has their own priority deadlines that are typically MUCH earlier. If your daughter's top choice has Feb 15th as their priority date, definitely aim for that! Missing priority deadlines can cost thousands in institutional aid even if you're before the federal cutoff.
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Freya Thomsen
•Thanks! That's helpful. State deadline for us is April 1st according to the studentaid.gov site. Do you know if they're still having all those technical glitches from last year? I'm paranoid about starting early but then getting stuck in the system.
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AstroAce
last year was a NIGHTMARE!!! i spent 3 weeks just trying to get the contributor part working for my parents. ended up missing our state deadline and lost out on the state grant. definitely start in october when it opens!!!!
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Chloe Martin
•THIS!!! The FSA has promised better systems for 25-26, but I wouldn't count on it. And don't forget CSS Profile if any of your daughter's schools require it - that's a completely separate form with different deadlines!
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Diego Rojas
Wait I thought fasfa was due January 15??!! Omg am I already late??
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Omar Zaki
•No, you're not late for the federal deadline (June 30, 2026), but many states and schools have January or February priority deadlines. Check studentaid.gov for your state's deadline and all your schools' financial aid websites for their specific deadlines. The earlier you submit, the better chance for maximum aid.
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Anastasia Sokolov
The whole system is DESIGNED to be confusing so they can give out less money!!! Last year they claimed "technical difficulties" but conveniently saved millions by delaying aid calculations. Notice how the SAI formula magically changed too? My son's EFC from 2023 would've gotten him way more aid than his SAI did in 2024. The "simplification" was just a cover for cutting aid.
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Freya Thomsen
•God, I hope that's not true but it wouldn't surprise me. The whole system feels so unnecessarily complicated. I'm worried about this SAI thing too - I've heard it can be really different from the old EFC calculation.
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Sean O'Donnell
For anyone still having trouble reaching FSA agents about FAFSA issues (like I was for WEEKS), I finally found a service called Claimyr that got me through to an agent in about 15 minutes instead of the usual 2+ hour wait. They have a video demo at https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ that shows how it works. Totally saved me when I needed to fix a contributor issue that was holding up my application. Just thought I'd share since FSA phone lines get completely jammed around priority deadlines.
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Diego Rojas
•omg thank u!!! i've been on hold for like 4 hours total this week!!
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Zara Ahmed
Last yr my daughter applied early but the school didnt get her info until April!!! Even tho we submitted in Nov. Start EARLY
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Chloe Martin
•This is good advice. The transmission of data from FSA to schools was a major bottleneck last year. Even if you submit early, check with the financial aid office at each school to confirm they received her FAFSA data. And save the confirmation page after you submit!
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Freya Thomsen
I appreciate all the feedback! Sounds like aiming for October/November is the safest bet, then following up with schools to make sure they actually received everything. I'll definitely check out that Claimyr service if we run into problems - spent way too much time on hold last year when helping my nephew with his application.
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Omar Zaki
•One more tip - after submitting, wait 3-5 business days, then log back in to check your SAI score and make sure there are no flags for verification. Many students miss verification notices and find out too late that their aid is held up. Good luck to your daughter!
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