Q: What is the FAFSA deadline for 2012 – 2013? I already applied for federal financial aid by submitting the FAFSA for 2011 and 2012, but if I will also need federal financial aid for the 2012 and 2013 school year, can I submit my FAFSA now for those years?
A: When it comes to filing FAFSA, filing as early as possible is a good guideline to follow, however, you will not have the ability to submit FAFSA for multiple years into the future. FAFSA becomes available for completion every year on the first day of the calendar year (January 1st). Students will not have the ability to apply for federal financial aid via the FAFSA past the current academic year offered.
FAFSA is used for an entire academic school year, so you will only need to file once per academic school year. For example, the 2012-2013 FAFSA is used for Fall 2012, Spring 2013, and Summer 2013. For each year that a student will file the FAFSA, filing as early as possible will help to ensure you receive all of the federal financial aid you are eligible for, and will leave you with the most options for federal aid.
The closer a student can file after January 1st of any given calendar year is in their best interest, however, filing close to the FAFSA deadline date is far better than missing the FAFSA deadline completely. Though at the time of this post the FAFSA 2012-1013 is not available, the FAFSA deadline for 2012 – 2013 (web applications) will be midnight Central Daylight time, June 30, 2013 (based on previous FAFSA deadlines).
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