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It's Not Too Late to Complete The FAFSA!

Last updated March 21, 2024

If you plan to attend college next year but haven't completed the FAFSA yet, keep reading! While there may be various reasons that you haven't yet completed the FAFSA, we want to tell you that there's still time.

The deadline to complete the 2024-2025 FAFSA isn't until June 30, 2025, but there are many advantages to completing it ASAP. When you complete the FAFSA early, especially before your state's or colleges' deadlines, you can be considered for the maximum amount of aid possible. This means that you can receive even more federal, state, and institutional financial aid that can significantly reduce the cost of college. Who doesn't love free money? 

Even if you're not sure about how much aid you're eligible for due to factors like your family's financial situation, it's still worth the time to complete your FAFSA. Don't count yourself out until you've explored your options!  

With this in mind, we'll share some reasons to complete the FAFSA now if you haven't yet. 

A person scrolls on their Mac computer. Someone next to them points at their screen - It's Not Too Late to Complete The FAFSA!

You have more options

It's important to know that the FAFSA is not binding. You are not required to accept any of the aid it offers to you or to attend any of the schools you listed on your FAFSA just because they’re offering you aid. Instead, when you complete the FAFSA, you give yourself more options and pathways for receiving financial aid. Here are three ways the FAFSA gives you options:

  1. You have more college options. Let’s say you got accepted to a school you’d like to attend, but it costs more than you can afford. By completing the FAFSA, you only raise your chances of receiving federal, state, and institutional aid that can make this school more affordable! After completing the FAFSA and receiving your financial aid award letter from the school, you may realize that attending it is much more realistic and doable than you had previously thought.
  2. You have more financial aid options. A large majority of financial aid (including scholarships, loans, and grants) is awarded to students only if they’ve completed the FAFSA. This means that when you complete the FAFSA, you are eligible for federal, state, and private forms of aid that can significantly cut down your college costs. Win-win-win!
  3. You have more job options. Completing the FAFSA can help you land a job! When completing or renewing the FAFSA, you can choose to be considered for work-study, a federal aid program that offers jobs to eligible students at participating colleges. If you're eligible for work-study, you can work a part-time job on or around campus that can help you cover tuition or living expenses.

There’s money out there for you

Every year, Federal Student Aid provides around $112 billion in financial aid to incoming and current college students who have completed the FAFSA. However, a lot of this money goes unclaimed annually. In fact, the high school class of 2023 left more than $4 billion in Pell Grants on the table by not completing the FAFSA. That’s free money that went unclaimed!

You can receive free FAFSA help

You don’t need to navigate this process on your own! There are plenty of free resources available that can support you through completing and submitting your FAFSA. Here’s a few:

  1. Our FAFSA textline. After signing up for our free FAFSA textline, you can speak with one of our college advisors to have your questions answered!
  2. Our FAFSA resources. We have lots of resources (both in English and Spanish) to help you and your family understand the purpose of the FAFSA, how to complete and submit it, and how to choose a college based on the aid offers you receive.
  3. FAFSA help in every state. Each state has free FAFSA help through in-person and digital FAFSA workshops, online FAFSA resources and modules, and FAFSA support specialists you can reach over the phone or text.

Receiving the financial support you need can make transitioning to college easier and smoother, so we strongly encourage you to make a plan to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible!

Have any questions or need support as you work on your FAFSA? Text #FAFSA to 33-55-77 to chat with one of our advisors. If you're using a mobile device, click here to have the text message set up for you!

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