Financial Aid: FAFSA & CSS Profile

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. a free, online application for financial aid for college. FAFSA typically opens each year on October 1, but for the Classes of 2024 and 2025 it will open on Dec. 1. FAFSA requires the previous year's taxes; for example, a student entering college in Fall of 2025 would complete the FAFSA using their parent(s)/guardian(s)' 2023 taxes.

To start the FAFSA application: apply for an FSA ID (one for student and separate one for parent/guardian); keep track of this ID & password for future years!

Colleges often have priority deadlines for FAFSA submission. Check with the college of your choice!

Students & parents need to submit the FAFSA every year that the student is in college.

Tax Assistance

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FAFSA Priority Deadlines At Colleges

Colleges typically set Priority Deadlines for students to complete the FAFSA. These are NOT drop-dead deadlines after which the college will not accept your FAFSA; rather, they are dates by which the college would prefer to have your FAFSA on file, so that they can allocate their limited financial aid award money in a timely manner. You have the best chance of receiving college financial aid if you submit the FAFSA by their Priority Deadline, and the best chance of receiving grant $ from the federal government if you complete your FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens each year.