When should I apply for federal financial aid?

The FAFSA must be filled out at the beginning of the year in which you intend to start school. It becomes available on January 1, and although technically there is no deadline, try to fill it out as soon as possible after that date. Each state and every individual school has its own deadline by which it must receive FAFSA information in order to include federal funds in the financial aid package that it offers you.

IMPORTANT: If you’re incarcerated, you should not fill out the FAFSA unless you know you are going to be released in time to attend school that year. FAFSA information is only good for one year. (Everyone applying for federal student aid must complete a new FAFSA yearly.)

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