Why not submitting the FAFSA matters for college funding
If you did not submit the FAFSA, you cannot receive federal student loans, federal grants, or work-study funding for college. The FAFSA is the only form colleges and universities use to determine how much federal aid you are may be able to access to receive. Without it on file, financial aid offices have no way to measure your financial need or process any federal money toward your tuition and fees.
This affects your options even if you plan to pay out of pocket or use private loans. Many colleges require the FAFSA before they will release their own institutional aid, scholarships, or payment plans. Some employers and private lenders also ask to see your FAFSA results before offering education-related benefits.
The good news is that the FAFSA window does not close on a single date. You can submit it at any point during the school year, though submitting earlier usually means faster processing and access to more aid funds before they run out.
Key Takeaways
- Not submitting the FAFSA blocks access to federal loans, federal grants, and work-study jobs, even if you have other ways to pay.
- Many colleges will not release their own institutional aid or scholarships until you submit the FAFSA, regardless of your financial situation.
- You can submit the FAFSA during the school year, but earlier submission usually means faster processing and access to more available funds.
- Your college's financial aid office can tell you the important date for your specific school and what documents you need to gather before you start.
How not submitting affects your financial aid package
When you do not submit the FAFSA, your financial aid package is empty. Federal Pell Grants, Direct Subsidized Loans, Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal PLUS Loans all require a completed FAFSA. Your college cannot process any of these without it.
Beyond federal aid, many colleges use your FAFSA information to award their own money. These institutional grants and scholarships often have their own separate pools of funding that the college controls. If the FAFSA is not on file, the financial aid office typically will not review you for these awards, even if you would otherwise may have access to based on income or merit.
Work-study positions also depend on the FAFSA. These are part-time jobs on campus or with approved employers where the federal government subsidizes part of your wage. Without submitting the FAFSA, you cannot be considered for these positions.
What to do if you missed the FAFSA important date
There is no single national important date that closes the FAFSA permanently. The U.S. Department of Education keeps the form open throughout the school year, typically from October through June. However, individual colleges set their own priority important date — usually in February or March — after which they begin awarding aid from their limited institutional funds.
If you missed your college's priority important date, submit the FAFSA as soon as possible. You will still be considered for federal aid and any remaining institutional aid, though you may receive less money than students who submitted earlier. Contact your college's financial aid office to ask whether they have a hard important date after which they stop processing FAFSA forms for that school year.
Some states also have their own grant programs with separate important date. Your state's higher education agency website will list these dates and requirements. Submitting the FAFSA late does not disqualify you from state aid, but it may reduce the amount available to you.
Documents and information you will need to gather
Before you submit the FAFSA, gather your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID, and your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. If you do not have an FSA ID, you can create one at studentaid.gov. You will also need your parents' information if you are a dependent student, including their Social Security numbers and tax information.
Have your most recent tax return available — either your own if you filed one, or your parents' if you are a dependent. If you have not filed taxes yet, you can use estimates and update the FAFSA later with actual figures. The form also asks about untaxed income, benefits, and assets, so gather any statements showing these amounts.
If you are an independent student, you will need your own tax information and proof of independence status. The FAFSA defines independence based on age, military service, foster care history, or other specific circumstances. Your college's financial aid office can tell you whether you may have access to as independent.
How to submit the FAFSA now
Go to fafsa.gov and select "Start Your FAFSA." You will create or log into your FSA ID account. The form asks for your personal information, citizenship status, and financial details. Most students can complete it in 20 to 30 minutes if they have their documents ready.
After you submit, you will receive a confirmation number. Save this number. The Department of Education will process your FAFSA and send you a Student Aid Report (SAR) within a few days to a few weeks, depending on how you submitted it. This report shows the information you provided and your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which colleges use to calculate your aid package.
Once your FAFSA is processed, your college's financial aid office will receive it automatically. You do not need to send it yourself. However, contact your college's financial aid office after you submit to confirm they received it and to ask about next steps for your specific school.
What happens after you submit
Your college will use your FAFSA information to build a financial aid package. This package lists all the federal aid you are may be able to access for, plus any institutional aid the college is offering. You will receive this package by mail or through your college's online student portal, usually within a few weeks of your FAFSA being processed.
The aid package shows the total amount available to you, broken down by type: grants (which you do not repay), loans (which you do), and work-study (which you earn). You then decide which aid to accept. Accepting a loan means you will owe that money back after you graduate or leave school.
If your financial situation changes after you submit — such as a job loss, medical emergency, or change in family size — contact your college's financial aid office. They can review your FAFSA and may adjust your aid package based on these circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still get into college if I don't submit the FAFSA?
Yes, colleges will admit you based on grades and test scores. However, without the FAFSA, you will not receive federal aid, and many colleges will not offer their own institutional aid or scholarships. You would need to pay out of pocket or find private loans to cover costs.
What if I submit the FAFSA late and my college's priority important date has passed?
You will still receive federal aid, but institutional aid may be limited because your college has already distributed much of its own funding to earlier applicants. Submit as soon as possible to maximize the aid available to you for that school year.
Do I need to submit the FAFSA every year?
Yes, you must submit a new FAFSA each school year you are enrolled. Your financial situation may change, and colleges need current information to calculate your aid package. The form opens in October for the following school year.
What if I don't know my parents' information for the FAFSA?
If you cannot contact your parents or do not know their Social Security numbers, contact your college's financial aid office. They can help you determine whether you may have access to as an independent student, which would allow you to submit the FAFSA using only your own information.
Can I update my FAFSA after I submit it?
Yes, you can log back into fafsa.gov and make corrections or updates at any time. If your tax information changes or you made an error, update it as soon as possible so your college has accurate information when calculating your aid package.