FAFSA & College Deadlines

FAFSA and College Deadlines

FAFSA stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA is what seniors/college students fill out in order to determine their financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA opened up on October 1, 2018 and needs to be filled out each academic year. Online FAFSA applications must be submitted by midnight (central time), June 30, 2019. Any corrections or updates must be filled out by midnight, September 14, 2019. Each college may have its own deadlines for when the application must be filled out. You should verify the FAFSA deadline for each college that you are applying to. If you are planning to go to an Alabama college, you need to check with your financial aid administrator.

Here are the steps to apply for the FAFSA:

1. Begin your FAFSA process by creating a FSA ID at FAFSA.gov. It’s your personal code for submitting the FAFSA when you’re ready. Your FSA ID will give you access to FSA online systems and can serve as your legal signature.

2. Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible. Federal student aid applications can be submitted starting October 1 at FAFSA.gov. Federal financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so know your deadlines and apply as early as you can to maximize your financial aid.

3. Think local. College and state financial aid deadlines vary by state. Check your state’s financial aid deadlines.

4. Apply for the FAFSA annually. You need to fill out the FAFSA each year that you are—or plan to be—a student. The FAFSA is used by schools to put together your financial aid package for one year of college.

5. The sooner you sign up, the sooner you will know if you qualify for financial aid. So sign up as soon as possible. Don’t wait just because you think you won’t get financial aid.

Here are some college application deadlines and fees:

1. Auburn University: Application deadline is January 15, 2019. The application fee is $50.

2. University of Alabama: Application deadline is February 1, 2019. The application fee is $40.

3. Alabama State University: Application deadline is July 30, 2019. The application fee is $25.

4. Troy University: No information about the application deadline available. Application fee is $30.

5. University of West Alabama: The application deadline rolling. Application fee is $40.

6. University of South Alabama: Application deadline is July 15, 2019. The application fee is $35.