Guides
FAFSA deadlines for 2027-28
Updated November 2026
The federal FAFSA deadline is late, but your state and your school can need it much sooner. Dates below come from StudentAid.gov’s FAFSA deadlines page.
The federal deadline
June 30, 2028, 11:59 p.m. Central time
The 2027-28 FAFSA is open now (it launched September 23, 2026). Corrections and updates are due by 11:59 p.m. Central time on September 12, 2028.
Date checked: November 15, 2026.
Don’t wait for the federal date. State and school aid often uses earlier dates, and some of it runs out once the money is gone.
Why your state or school date can come first
A priority date is not a cut-off: you can still file after it, but you may get less. A deadline is the date the state sets, and missing it can cost you aid. If you missed one, still ask the state agency or your school: some states may still help if money is left. Your school can set its own date too, so ask its financial aid office.
State dates we checked
Texas
Priority date for many schools
January 15, 2027
For the 2027-28 FAFSA, the Texas state aid priority date is January 15, 2027 for many schools. Private and two-year schools may differ, so ask your school's aid office.
Texas deadline page and calendarCalifornia
State deadline (postmarked)
March 2, 2027
For the 2027-28 FAFSA, the California deadline for many state aid programs, including Cal Grant, is March 2, 2027 (date postmarked). Cal Grant also needs a school-certified GPA by the same day. Some extra community college Cal Grants: September 2, 2027.
California deadline page and calendarArizona
Priority date
April 1, 2027
The Arizona Promise Program asks for the FAFSA by April 1, 2027 for priority consideration. A priority date is not a cut-off, but a later form may get less.
Arizona deadline page and calendarTennessee
Deadline · File by
April 1, 2027
Tennessee Promise and the Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA): file the FAFSA by April 1, 2027. TSAA money runs out, so file early. State Lottery scholarships: September 1, 2027 for fall, March 1, 2028 for spring and May 1, 2028 for summer (midnight Central time).
Tennessee deadline page and calendarMassachusetts
Priority date
May 1, 2027, midnight Central time
For the 2027-28 FAFSA, StudentAid.gov lists May 1, 2027 (midnight Central time) as the Massachusetts priority date. It is a priority date, not the final deadline. Check the MASSGrant page for the final date.
Massachusetts deadline page and calendarPennsylvania
State deadline for most students
May 1, 2027
PA State Grant: May 1, 2027 for most students. August 1, 2027 for first-time applicants at a community college, business, trade or technical school, hospital school of nursing, open-admission school or two-year non-transferable program. First-time applicants also fill out the PA State Grant application.
Pennsylvania deadline page and calendarFlorida
State deadline
Processed by May 15, 2027
For the 2027-28 FAFSA, StudentAid.gov lists the Florida state deadline as processed by May 15, 2027. A form takes time to process, so send it well before that day.
Florida deadline page and calendarNorth Carolina
Priority date (UNC System schools and community colleges)
June 1, 2027
Next NC Scholarship: the priority date is June 1, 2027 for UNC System schools and North Carolina community colleges only. Private schools have no fixed date. A priority date is not a cut-off, but a later form may get less.
North Carolina deadline page and calendarNew Jersey
State deadline (other applicants, fall and spring)
September 15, 2027, 11 p.m. Central time
Tuition Aid Grant (TAG): students who got TAG in 2026-27 and are renewing must file by April 15, 2027. Everyone else: September 15, 2027 for fall and spring, or February 15, 2028 for spring only. StudentAid.gov gives the cut-off as 11 p.m. Central time.
New Jersey deadline page and calendarOhio
State deadline
October 1, 2027, midnight Central time
Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG): the FAFSA deadline is October 1, 2027 (midnight Central time on StudentAid.gov).
Ohio deadline page and calendar
Dates: StudentAid.gov, checked November 15, 2026. Each state page has the program details and a calendar button.
State not listed?
Find your state on StudentAid.gov’s deadline list, then open your state agency’s page. Some states say “as soon as possible” or “contact your financial aid office” instead of a date. That means file early.
School dates
Colleges can set their own FAFSA date for their own aid. Check the school’s aid page or ask. See how to talk to the financial aid office.
Next steps
Education only, not financial advice. WealthNutz is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or any state agency. Dates were checked on November 15, 2026 and can change. Confirm on StudentAid.gov and your state’s official page.
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