Priority deadline vs federal deadline: the 5-minute version

1. The federal deadline — generous, and a trap

For 2027-28, the federal government accepts the FAFSA from Oct 1, 2026 through Jun 30, 2028. If you file by then, you can still receive federal Pell Grants and federal student loans. But federal aid is only part of the money. If June 30 is the date in your head, you have almost certainly missed your state's deadline — and possibly your colleges'.

2. The state priority deadline — where the grant money is decided

States run their own grant programs on top of federal aid, and their budgets are limited. So states set priority deadlines: file by this date and you are first in line; file after it and you get whatever is left, if anything.

Texas: Jan 15, 2027. Texas sets January 15 as the state priority deadline for FAFSA and TASFA applicants who want priority consideration for limited state financial aid. Applying by this date does not guarantee an award, and you can still apply after it — but state funds are limited, so earlier is better. Full Texas details →

California: Mar 2, 2027. March 2 is California's priority filing deadline — and for a new Cal Grant it is effectively a hard deadline. You must file the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (CADAA) and make sure your verified GPA reaches the California Student Aid Commission by March 2. Full California details →

Missouri: Feb 1, 2027. Missouri sets February 1 as the Access Missouri priority deadline. Eligible students who file the FAFSA by that date are generally guaranteed an award. Applications are still accepted through April 1 — after that, you are not considered for Access Missouri. Full Missouri details →

Connecticut: Feb 15, 2027. Connecticut sets February 15 as the priority FAFSA date for state aid consideration — including the Roberta B. Willis Scholarship, which also needs a counselor-submitted application by that date. Additional forms may be required depending on the program. Full Connecticut details →

Maryland: Mar 1, 2027. March 1 is Maryland's deadline to file the FAFSA — or the MHEC One-App for eligible undocumented students — for Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards (Educational Assistance and Guaranteed Access Grants). List at least one Maryland college on the application by that date. Full Maryland details →

West Virginia: Mar 1, 2027. March 1 is the West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship deadline — you need both the FAFSA and the PROMISE application (via WVSAM on CFWV) by that date. Higher Education Grant and Invests priority consideration follow on April 15. Full West Virginia details →

Indiana: Apr 15, 2027. April 15 is Indiana's priority FAFSA deadline for major state aid — including the Frank O’Bannon Grant and the 21st Century Scholarship. File every year you are in college; Scholars must meet this date to keep the scholarship on track. Full Indiana details →

Kansas: Apr 1, 2027. Kansas sets April 1 as the FAFSA priority date for state aid consideration. Many Board of Regents scholarships also need a separate State of Kansas Student Aid Application (often with a May 1 priority) — check each program you want. Full Kansas details →

Massachusetts: May 1, 2027. Massachusetts sets May 1 as the priority filing date for the FAFSA — or the MASFA for students who cannot file the FAFSA — to be considered for most state financial aid programs. Some programs publish separate dates in MASSAid; check Important Dates each year. Full Massachusetts details →

Maine: May 1, 2027. May 1 is Maine's FAFSA deadline (date received) for the Maine State Grant Program. Your completed FAFSA is the grant application — FAME does not require a separate state form. Full Maine details →

Florida: May 15, 2027. May 15, 2027 is Florida's statewide FAFSA date (date processed) on the federal list. Many OSFA scholarships also require an error-free FAFSA processed by May 15 — and often a separate Florida Financial Aid Application with an earlier April 1 deadline. Always check your college's own processing deadline. Full Florida details →

Pennsylvania: May 1, 2027. Most Pennsylvania State Grant applicants must submit the FAFSA by May 1. First-time applicants at community colleges, many trade/technical schools, hospital nursing schools, designated open-admission institutions, or nontransferable two-year programs have until August 1. You may also need the PA State Grant Form. Full Pennsylvania details →

Louisiana: Feb 1, 2027. Louisiana recommends filing the FAFSA by February 1, 2027 for timely TOPS processing and priority consideration for state and institutional aid. The federal form stays open longer, but LOSFA treats February 1 of senior year as the priority filing target — and TOPS has a separate final application rule tied to graduation anniversary. Full Louisiana details →

Iowa: Jul 1, 2027. Iowa sets July 1, 2027 as the FAFSA deadline for major state programs such as the Iowa Tuition Grant. Earlier institutional or program priorities may exist, and additional forms may be required — so file as soon as the 2027–28 FAFSA opens when you can. Full Iowa details →

Ohio: Oct 1, 2027. Ohio's statewide FAFSA deadline for the Ohio College Opportunity Grant (OCOG) is October 1, 2027. There is no separate OCOG application — ODHE uses your FAFSA — but most Ohio colleges set much earlier institutional priority dates, so treat October 1 as a state floor, not your personal target. Full Ohio details →

New York: Jun 30, 2028. New York's FAFSA and TAP deadline for 2027–28 is June 30, 2028 — the same day as the federal FAFSA close. You still need a separate TAP / NYS Payment application after the FAFSA (or a DREAM Act / alternate path if you cannot file the FAFSA). File early anyway: colleges build packages months before June. Full New York details →

North Carolina: Jun 1, 2027. For the Next NC Scholarship at UNC System universities and North Carolina community colleges, file the FAFSA by June 1, 2027 for priority consideration and your maximum award. After June 1, applications are reviewed in order received while funds last. Private colleges use a different need-based path and should file as soon as possible after October 1, 2026. Full North Carolina details →

New Jersey: Apr 15, 2027. New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant deadlines split by path: prior-year TAG recipients must have the 2027–28 FAFSA processed by April 15, 2027. Other applicants aiming at fall and spring have until September 15, 2027 (spring-only: February 15, 2028). HESAA uses the processed date — allow at least three days before the deadline. Full New Jersey details →

Tennessee: Apr 1, 2027. April 1, 2027 is Tennessee's key FAFSA date for Tennessee Promise and for prior-year state grant renewals. Other awards can be first-come, first-served. State lottery (HOPE) programs also set later term-based FAFSA dates — September 1, 2027 for fall. Full Tennessee details →

Arkansas: Mar 1, 2027. March 1 is Arkansas's annual deadline for the Governor’s Distinguished Scholars path (FAFSA required plus the ADHE SAMS application). Academic Challenge and non-distinguished Governor’s Scholars use July 1. Arkansas Future Grant uses term dates (fall July 1 / spring January 10). Full Arkansas details →

Mississippi: Apr 30, 2027. For the HELP Grant, Mississippi’s MAAPP application window closes March 31 and supporting documents — including the FAFSA — are due April 30. MTAG and MESG applications are due September 15, with supporting documents due October 15. You must reapply in MAAPP every year. Full Mississippi details →

Nevada: Apr 1, 2027. Nevada Promise Scholarship applicants must file the 2027–28 FAFSA by April 1, 2027 (or a Non-FAFSA Filer Declaration if ineligible for the FAFSA) and complete separate Promise steps at their community college. The Silver State Opportunity Grant is awarded first-come after October 1, 2026 while funds last — file ASAP for that path. Full Nevada details →

Alaska: Jun 30, 2027. For priority consideration for the Alaska Performance Scholarship, submit the FAFSA by June 30, 2027 (or the APS Alternative Application by June 30 for non-Title IV schools). Awards continue while funds last. The Alaska Education Grant is first-come after October 1, 2026 until funds run out. Full Alaska details →

South Carolina: Aug 1, 2027. August 1, 2027 is the FAFSA deadline for the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program — need-based aid for residents attending participating independent (private nonprofit) colleges in the state. Commission on Higher Education need-based grants at other paths are first-come after October 1, 2026 while funds last. Full South Carolina details →

Delaware: May 15, 2027. Federal Student Aid lists May 15, 2027 (midnight Central) for Delaware. Delaware Higher Education Office scholarship applications for several 2027–28 programs list May 17, 2027 (4:30 p.m.). We show both — confirm which date applies to your path, and aim for the earlier one when unsure. Full Delaware details →

Idaho: Mar 1, 2027. This page is scoped to the Idaho Opportunity Scholarship — not a catch-all statewide grant deadline. For 2027–28, Next Steps Idaho / Scholarship Idaho list March 1, 2027 for both the FAFSA and the Opportunity application. Other Idaho aid may differ; check your college. Full Idaho details →

Arizona: Apr 1, 2027. This page is scoped to the Arizona Promise Program — not a single statewide grant deadline for every Arizona student. FSA and the Arizona Board of Regents both point to April 1, 2027 for Promise priority FAFSA filing (ASU/NAU/UArizona path). Campus institutional priority dates can still be earlier. Full Arizona details →

Michigan: MCS/MTG closed for new Class of 2027 path — no solid statewide hard date here. What we know: Federal Student Aid still lists a July 1 priority FAFSA date for Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant — but MI Student Aid says MCS is closed to high-school graduates from 2023 onward, and MTG is closed to students who did not already initiate a paid award in 2023–24 or earlier. For a new Class of 2027 path, those legacy programs are not the story. File the FAFSA anyway for federal aid and current MI programs (including Achievement Scholarship), and confirm dates with MI Student Aid and your college. Full Michigan details →

District of Columbia: 2027–28 OneApp window not yet dual-sourced — FSA lists dates; OSSE still on 2026–27. What we know: Federal Student Aid lists June 25, 2027 for DC priority FAFSA consideration and July 1, 2027 for DCTAG OneApp + supporting documents priority. What is not yet confirmed on this page: OSSE / DC OneApp are still publishing the 2026–27 application window (open Feb. 2, 2026 through Aug. 21, 2026). Until OSSE dual-sources 2027–28 OneApp dates, we will not treat FSA’s June 25 / July 1 as verified hard deadlines here. Full District of Columbia details →

Illinois: Illinois MAP: file ASAP after Oct. 1 — awards while funds last (ISAC + FSA). No single statewide hard deadline — FSA and ISAC say file ASAP after October 1 for MAP while funds last (first-come). Returning MAP recipients who file by February 1, 2027 get priority access to appropriated funds; that is not a final cutoff for everyone. Full Illinois details →

Georgia: Georgia: ASAP after Oct. 1 — check your school’s FAO / GAfutures (no single hard statewide date). No single statewide hard deadline — FSA says submit ASAP after October 1, 2026, check your school’s financial aid office, and see GAfutures for program details. More forms may be required. Full Georgia details →

Virginia: Virginia: ASAP after Oct. 1 — deadlines vary by school (check FAO / VASA if needed). No single statewide hard deadline — FSA says file ASAP after October 1, 2026; deadlines vary by institution. Students ineligible for federal aid who meet state rules can use the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) application instead. Full Virginia details →

Washington: Washington: ASAP after Oct. 1 — check FAO; WASFA if you cannot use FAFSA. No single statewide hard deadline — FSA says file ASAP after October 1, 2026 and check your school. Students ineligible for federal aid who meet state rules should use the WASFA instead of the FAFSA. Full Washington details →

Kentucky: Kentucky: ASAP after Oct. 1 — awards while funds exist. No single statewide hard deadline — FSA says apply ASAP after October 1, 2026; awards are made while funds exist. Confirm program details with KHEAA and your college. Full Kentucky details →

Montana: Montana: ASAP after Oct. 1 for priority — check FAO; more forms may be required. No single statewide hard deadline — FSA says for priority consideration submit ASAP after October 1, 2026; more forms may be required. Check your school’s financial aid office. Full Montana details →

North Dakota: North Dakota: ASAP after Oct. 1 — awards while funds exist. No single statewide hard deadline — FSA says submit ASAP after October 1, 2026; awards while funds exist. Confirm with NDUS / your campus. Full North Dakota details →

Vermont: Vermont: ASAP after Oct. 1 — awards while funds exist; more forms may be required. No single statewide hard deadline — FSA says submit ASAP after October 1, 2026; awards while funds exist; more forms may be required. Confirm with VSAC. Full Vermont details →

Oregon: Opportunity Grant ASAP / ORSAA — OSAC private scholarships March 1 (program). What we know: FSA says Oregon Opportunity Grant is ASAP after October 1, 2026 (FAFSA or ORSAA) while funds last. OSAC private scholarships list a March 1, 2027 FAFSA date. Oregon Promise and other grants: contact OSAC — we do not invent a single statewide hard deadline for every path. Full Oregon details →

Minnesota: Jun 1, 2027. This page leads with North Star Promise: FSA lists June 1, 2027 as the priority FAFSA date. Minnesota State Grant is different — FSA says file by the 30th day of the term (not a single calendar hard date). Other aid: check your financial aid office. Full Minnesota details →

Wisconsin: No single statewide deadline — FSA and Wisconsin say check your school's FAO. No single statewide hard deadline — Federal Student Aid says check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for Wisconsin state aid dates and forms. File the FAFSA early for federal aid, then confirm each school’s priority date. Full Wisconsin details →

Colorado: No single statewide deadline — FSA and Colorado say check your school's FAO. No single statewide hard deadline — Federal Student Aid says check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for Colorado state aid dates and forms. An alternate state application may exist for some students — confirm with CDHE / your campus. File the FAFSA early for federal aid, then confirm each school’s priority date. Full Colorado details →

Alabama: No single statewide deadline — FSA and Alabama say check your school's FAO. No single statewide hard deadline — Federal Student Aid says check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for Alabama state aid dates and forms. File the FAFSA early for federal aid, then confirm each school’s priority date. Full Alabama details →

Oklahoma: No single statewide deadline — FSA and Oklahoma say check your school's FAO. No single statewide hard deadline — Federal Student Aid says check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for Oklahoma state aid dates and forms. File the FAFSA early for federal aid, then confirm each school’s priority date. Full Oklahoma details →

Nebraska: No single statewide deadline — FSA and Nebraska say check your school's FAO. No single statewide hard deadline — Federal Student Aid says check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for Nebraska state aid dates and forms. File the FAFSA early for federal aid, then confirm each school’s priority date. Full Nebraska details →

New Mexico: No single statewide deadline — FSA and New Mexico say check your school's FAO. No single statewide hard deadline — Federal Student Aid says check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for New Mexico state aid dates and forms. FSA notes priority consideration can vary by institution. File the FAFSA early for federal aid, then confirm each school’s priority date. Full New Mexico details →

Hawaii: No single statewide deadline — FSA and Hawaii say check your school's FAO. No single statewide hard deadline — Federal Student Aid says check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for Hawaii state aid dates and forms. More forms may be required. File the FAFSA early for federal aid, then confirm each school’s priority date. Full Hawaii details →

New Hampshire: No single statewide deadline — FSA and New Hampshire say check your school's FAO. No single statewide hard deadline — Federal Student Aid says check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for New Hampshire state aid dates and forms. More forms may be required. File the FAFSA early for federal aid, then confirm each school’s priority date. Full New Hampshire details →

Rhode Island: No single statewide deadline — FSA and Rhode Island say check your school's FAO. No single statewide hard deadline — Federal Student Aid says check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for Rhode Island state aid dates and forms. More forms may be required. File the FAFSA early for federal aid, then confirm each school’s priority date. Full Rhode Island details →

South Dakota: No single statewide deadline — FSA and South Dakota say check your school's FAO. No single statewide hard deadline — Federal Student Aid says check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for South Dakota state aid dates and forms. More forms may be required. File the FAFSA early for federal aid, then confirm each school’s priority date. Full South Dakota details →

Wyoming: No single statewide deadline — FSA and Wyoming say check your school's FAO. No single statewide hard deadline — Federal Student Aid says check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for Wyoming state aid dates and forms. More forms may be required. File the FAFSA early for federal aid, then confirm each school’s priority date. Full Wyoming details →

Utah: No single statewide deadline — FSA and Utah say check your school's FAO. No single statewide hard deadline — Federal Student Aid says check with the financial aid office at the college you plan to attend for Utah state aid dates and forms. FSA also points Opportunity Scholarship applicants to opportunityscholarship.org for that program’s own FAFSA deadline — confirm on that site; we do not invent a statewide hard date here. File the FAFSA early for federal aid, then confirm each school’s priority date. Full Utah details →

Note the difference in flavor: some states treat their date as a priority (late applicants can still be considered), while others use a hard deadline for state grants — and some require extra forms (verified GPA, a state aid application) beyond the FAFSA itself. Check your state page for the exact rules.

3. The college deadline — the one nobody publishes in one place

Every college also sets its own priority date for its own institutional money, and it can be earlier than your state's. There is no single list. For each school on your list, find the financial aid office's "priority filing date" and put the earliest date of all three levels on your calendar. That earliest date is your real deadline.

4. So when should you file?

As early as you reasonably can after the FAFSA opens on Oct 1, 2026 — and treat your state's priority date as your finish line. You do not need perfect information to file: you can correct the FAFSA later, and colleges expect estimates early in the season. What you cannot do is file last season's paperwork this season, or get state money back after the priority pool is allocated.

Then set reminders. The families who miss these dates are rarely careless — they are busy, and a deadline in January is easy to lose in November. Use the calendar buttons on your state page (or the reminders page) — each download includes 30 / 14 / 7-day alarms on your device.