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Get Help Paying for College - Deadlines to Apply for Student Aid

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  • 27 Sep, 2017
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To apply for federal student aid , you need to complete the FAFSA® form at https://fafsa.ed.gov

Completing and submitting the FAFSA® form is free and quick, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school.   The following is from StudentAid.gov  https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa


When do I fill out the FAFSA® form?

The 2017–18 FAFSA form has been available since Oct. 1, 2016, and the 2018–19 FAFSA form will be available on Oct. 1, 2017.

There are different FAFSA deadlines for different programs:

Aid Program

Deadline Information

Federal Student aid
  • For the 2017–18 year, you can apply between Oct. 1, 2016, and June 30, 2018.
  • For the 2018–19 year, you can apply between Oct. 1, 2017, and June 30, 2019.
  However, there are a few federal student aid programs  that have limited funds, so be sure to apply as soon as you can once the FAFSA form is available for the year you’ll be attending school.

State student aid

  You can find state deadlines at fafsa.gov (see below for local states) or on the PDF FAFSA form. Note that several states have financial aid programs with limited funds and therefore have a deadline of "as soon as possible (after the FAFSA form becomes available)."

College or career school aid

  Check the school’s website or contact its financial aid office . School deadlines are usually early in the year   (often in February or March, although some are even earlier now that the FAFSA form is available in October).

Other financial aid

  Some programs other than government or school aid require that you file the FAFSA form. For instance, you can’t get certain private scholarships unless you’re eligible for a Federal Pell Grant—and you can’t find out whether you’re eligible for a Pell Grant  unless you file a FAFSA form. If the private scholarship’s application deadline is in early to mid-January, you’ll need to submit your FAFSA form before that deadline.


As you can see, it’s a good idea to file the FAFSA form as soon as it’s available so you don’t miss out on anything.

You have to fill out the FAFSA® form every year you’re in school in order to stay eligible for federal student aid.


2018-2019 Federal Deadline - Online applications must be submitted by midnight Central Time, June 30, 2019.  Any corrections or updates must be submitted by midnight Central Time, September 14, 2019.


2018-2019 Local state deadlines:

Maryland - March 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time.

Pennsylvania - All first-time applicants enrolled in a: community college; business/trade/technical school; hospital school of nursing; designated Pennsylvania Open – Admission institution; or non-transferable two-year program - August 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time.
All other applicants – May 1, 2018 by midnight, Central Time. Additional forms may be required.

West Virginia - PROMISE Scholarship – March 1, 2018. New applicants must submit additional application at www.cfwv.com. Contact your financial aid administrator or your state agency.  WV Higher Education Grant Program - April 15, 2018.




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