State Systems & Financial Aid Information

State Systems &
Financial Aid Information

 
State

Aid application deadline dates for award year 2026-27

Priority deadlines are noted in orange

Aid application deadline dates for award year 2025-26

Priority deadlines are noted in orange

Is the deadline in statute? Is FAFSA completion required for state aid application? Is eligibility and/or aid amount linked to FAFSA (i.e., EFC)? Is aid is first come, first served? Does the state have a FAFSA completion policy? What type of FAFSA completion policy? Is there a separate application for undocumented students?
Alabama (AL) Check with your financial aid administrator. Check with your financial aid administrator N/A Yes Yes
No Yes
Universal FAFSA No
Alaska (AK)

Alaska Education Grant: ASAP after October 1, 2025; awards made while funds exist.

Alaska Performance Scholarship: For priority consideration, submit your application by June 30, 2026; awards made while funds exist.

Alaska Education Grant: ASAP after December 31, 2024; awards made while funds exist.

Alaska Performance Scholarship: For priority consideration, submit your application by June 30, 2025; awards made while funds exist.

  Yes Yes
Yes
No N/A No 
American Samoa (AS) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required. N/A              
Arizona (AZ) Arizona Promise Program: For priority consideration, submit by April 1, 2026. Check with your financial aid administrator.
No Yes Yes
Yes
Yes
Direct Supports/Other Policy No
Arkansas (AR)

Academic Challenge: July 1, 2026

ArFuture Grant:

  • Fall term, July 1, 2026
  • Spring term, January 10, 2027

Academic Challenge: July 1, 2025

ArFuture Grant

  • Fall term: July 1, 2025
  • Spring term: January 10, 2026
No Yes No No  No N/A No
California (CA)

For many state financial aid programs: March 2, 2026 (date postmarked).

Cal Grant also requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 2, 2026.

For additional community college Cal Grants: September 2, 2026 (date postmarked).

For noncitizens without a Social Security card or with one issued through the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, fill out the California Dream Act Application.

Contact the California Student Aid Commission or your financial aid office for more information. 

For many state financial aid programs: March 3, 2025 (date postmarked).

Cal Grant also requires submission of a school-certified GPA by March 3, 2025.

For additional community college Cal Grants: September 2, 2025 (date postmarked).

For noncitizens without a Social Security card or with one issued through the federal DACA program, fill out the California Dream Act Application.

Contact the California Student Aid Commission or your financial aid office for more information. 

 Yes Yes Yes No Yes
Universal FAFSA Yes
Colorado (CO) Check with your financial aid administrator. Check with your financial aid administrator.
 N/A No
Yes
No Yes
Direct Supports/Other Policy Yes
Connecticut (CT) For priority consideration, submit your application by on February 15, 2026. Additional forms may be required. For priority consideration, submit your application by February 15, 2025. Additional forms may be required. No Yes
Yes
No No N/A Yes
Delaware (DE) May 15, 2026 June 15, 2025 No Yes
Yes
No No N/A No 
District of Columbia (DC)

For priority consideration, submit by June 25, 2026

DC Tuition Assistance Grant: For priority consideration, submit the DC OneApp and supporting documents by July 1, 2026.

For priority consideration, submit by June 25, 2025

DC Tuition Assistance Grant: For priority consideration, submit the DC OneApp and supporting documents by July 1, 2025

No Yes No  Yes No N/A No
Federated States of Micronesia (FM) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.
               
Florida (FL) May 15, 2026 (date processed) May 15, 2025 (date processed) No Yes Yes No No  N/A No
Georgia (GA) Refer to the Georgia Student Finance Commission for more information. As soon as possible after October 1, 2025. Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required. ASAP after October 1, 2024 No No No No No  N/A No
Guam (GU) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.
               
Hawaii (HI) Check with your financial aid administrator; additional forms may be required. Check with your financial aid administrator. No Yes
Yes
No No N/A Yes
Idaho (ID) Opportunity Scholarship: Submit by March 1, 2026. Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required. Opportunity Scholarship: Submit by March 1, 2025. Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required. No Yes Yes No No
N/A No 
Illinois (IL) Refer to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission’s web site for the current Monetary Award Program (MAP) deadline dates. As soon as possible after October 1, 2025. Awards made while funds exist.  ASAP after October 1, 2024 No Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Universal FAFSA Yes
Indiana (IN)

Adult Student Grant: ASAP after October 1, 2025. Awards made while until funds exist. New applicants must submit additional form.

Workforce Ready Grant: ASAP after October 1, 2025.

Frank O’Bannon Grant: April 15, 2026.

21st Century Scholarship: April 15, 2026.
 

Adult Student Grant: ASAP after December 31, 2024. Awards made while until funds exist. New applicants must submit additional form.

Workforce Ready Grant: ASAP after December 31, 2024.

Frank O'Bannon Grant: April 15, 2025

21st Century Scholarship: April 15, 2025

No Yes  Yes
No Yes
Universal FAFSA No
Iowa (IA) July 1, 2026; earlier priority deadlines may exist for certain programs. More forms may be required. July 1, 2025 No Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Direct Supports/Other Policy No
Kansas (KS) For priority consideration, submit by April 1, 2026. Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required. April 1, 2025 No Yes
Yes
No Yes
Universal FAFSA No
Kentucky (KY) ASAP after October 1, 2025. Awards made while funds exist. ASAP after October 1, 2024 No Yes
Yes
Yes
No N/A No
Louisiana (LA) July 1, 2027 (February 1, 2026, recommended) February 1, 2025 No Yes
Yes
No Yes
Universal FAFSA No
Maine (ME) May 1, 2026 May 1, 2025 (date received) No Yes
Yes
No Yes
Direct Supports/Other Policy No
Marshall Islands (MH) Check with financial aid office.                
Maryland (MD) Howard P. Rawlings Educational Excellence Awards: March 1, 2026 March 1, 2025 No Yes
Yes
No Yes
Direct Supports/Other Policy Yes
Massachusetts (MA) For priority consideration, submit by May 1, 2026. May 1, 2025 No Yes
Yes
No No N/A Yes
Michigan (MI) Michigan Competitive Scholarship and Michigan Tuition Grant: For priority consideration, submit your application by July 1, 2026. July 1, 2025
No Yes
No No No N/A No
Minnesota (MN)

State Grant and North Star Promise: Submit your application by the 30th day of the term

All other aid: Check with the financial aid office a the college or career school you plan to attend. Additional forms may be required. 

June 30, 2025 Yes Yes
Yes
No No N/A Yes
Mississippi (MS)

MTAG and MESG Grants: October 15, 2026

HELP Grant: April 30, 2026

MTAG and MESG Grants: October 15, 2025

HELP Grant: April 30, 2025

No Yes
Yes
No Yes
Direct Supports/Other Policy No
Missouri (MO) Priority: February 3, 2026.

Applications accepted through April 1, 2026

Priority: February 3, 2025

Applications accepted through April 1, 2025

No
Yes
Yes
No
No N/A No 
Montana (MT) Priority: ASAP after October 1, 2025. Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required. December 31, 2024
No
Yes
Yes
No No N/A No
Northern Mariana Islands (MP) For priority consideration, submit by April 30, 2026. More forms may be required.
               
Nebraska (NE) Check with your financial aid administrator. N/A N/A Yes
Yes
No Yes
Universal FAFSA  No
Nevada (NV)

Silver State Opportunity Grant: ASAP after October 1, 2025. Awards made while funds exist.

Nevada Promise Scholarship: April 1, 2026. More forms may be required. Awards made while funds exist.

All other aid: Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.

Silver State Opportunity Grant: ASAP after October 1, 2024

Nevada Promise Scholarship: May 1, 2025

No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No N/A Yes
New Hampshire (NH) Check with your financial aid administrator; additional forms may be required. N/A N/A N/A
N/A N/A
N/A
Universal FAFSA  N/A
New Jersey (NJ)

Renewal applicants (2025-26 Tuition Aid Grant recipients): April 15, 2026.

All other applicants:

  • Fall and Spring terms: September 15, 2026
  • Spring term only: February 15, 2027

Renewal applicants (2024-25 Tuition Aid Grant recipients): April 15, 2025

All other applicants:

  • Fall and Spring terms: September 15, 2025
  • Spring term only: February 15, 2026
No Yes
No No Yes
Direct Supports/Other Policy Yes
New Mexico (NM) Check with your financial aid administrator. N/A No
No
No
No
No
N/A Yes
New York (NY) June 30, 2027. More forms may be required. June 30, 2026 No
Yes
No No No N/A Yes
North Carolina (NC)

For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA by June 1, 2026 if attending a UNC System Institution or by August 15, 2026 if attending a community college.

Complete ASAP after filing period begins if attending a private institution.

Awards made until funds are depleted. Visit CFNC.org for more information.

For priority consideration, submit your FAFSA by June 1, 2025 if attending a UNC System Institution or by August 15, 2025 if attending a community college. 

Complete ASAP after filing period begins if attending a private institution.

No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No N/A No
North Dakota (ND) ASAP after October 1, 2025; awards made until funds exist. ASAP after October 1, 2024 N/A Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Direct Supports/Other Policy No 
Ohio (OH) October 1, 2026 October 1, 2025 Yes No Yes No  No  N/A No 
Oklahoma (OK) Check with your financial aid administrator. N/A No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes  Universal FAFSA  No
Oregon (OR)

Oregon Opportunity Grant: ASAP after October 1, 2025. Awards made while funds exist.

OSAC Private Scholarships: March 1, 2026. More forms may be required.

Oregon Promise Grant: Contact state agency. More forms may be required.

Oregon Opportunity Grant: File the FAFSA or ORSAA ASAP.

OSAC Private Scholarships: March 1, 2025. Additional application required.

Oregon Promise Grant, and other state grants: Contact state agency for your deadline. Additional application required.

No Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Direct Supports/Other Policy Yes
Palau (PW) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.
               
Pennsylvania (PA)

All first-time applicants enrolled in a community college; business, trade, or technical school; hospital school of nursing; designated Pennsylvania open-admission institution; or nontransferable two-year program: August 1, 2026

All other applicants: May 1, 2026

Additional forms may be required. 

All first-time applicants enrolled in a community college; business, trade, or technical school; hospital school of nursing; designated Pennsylvania open-admission institution; or nontransferable two-year program: August 1, 2025

All other applicants: May 1, 2025

Additional forms may be required. 

No
Yes
Yes
No No  N/A No 
Puerto Rico (PR) Check with your financial aid office                
Rhode Island (RI) Check with your financial aid administrator; additional forms may be required. N/A No
Yes
Yes
No No N/A Yes
South Carolina (SC)

SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based Grants: first come, first served; awards made while funds exist.

SC Tuition Grants: August 1, 2026, for SC independent institutions only.

SC Commission on Higher Education Need-based Grants: ASAP after December 1, 2024; awards made until funds are depleted.

SC Tuition Grants: August 1, 2025

No Yes Yes
Yes
No N/A  No
South Dakota (SD) Check with your financial aid administrator; additional forms may be required. N/A No
Yes
Yes
 No No N/A No 
Tennessee (TN)

State Grant: Prior-year recipients receive award if eligible and apply by March 2, 2026; all other awards made to neediest applicants. Awards made under fund are depleted.

Tennessee Promise: March 2, 2026.

State Lottery:

  • Fall term, September 1, 2026
  • Spring term, March 1, 2027
  • Summer term, May 1, 2027

State Grant: Prior-year recipients receive award if eligible and apply by April 15, 2025; all other awards made to neediest applicants. Awards made under fund are depleted.

Tennessee Promise: April 15, 2025

State Lottery:

  • Fall term: September 1, 2025
  • Spring term: March 1, 2025
  • Summer term: May 1, 2025

No
Yes
Yes
 No Yes Direct Supports/Other Policy  No
Texas (TX) For priority consideration, submit by January 15, 2026. More forms may be required. Private and two-year institutions may have different deadlines; check with your financial aid office. February 15, 2025 No Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Universal FAFSA Yes
US Virgin Islands (VI) Check with your financial aid office. More forms may be required.                
Utah (UT)

Check with your financial aid office. Awards made while funds exist. More forms may be required. Visit ushe.edu for more details about state aid options.

N/A No
Yes
No  No
Yes
Direct Supports/Other Policy Yes
Vermont (VT) ASAP after October 1, 2025; awards made while funds exist. Additional forms may be required. ASAP after October 1, 2024 No
Yes
Yes Yes
No N/A No
Virginia (VA)

ASAP after October 1, 2025. Deadlines vary by institution; check with your financial aid office.

Students who are ineligible for federal aid but meet state aid and residency requirements can instead complete the Virginia Alternative State Aid Application.  Check with your institutional financial aid office for details.

ASAP after December 31, 2024 No Yes
Yes
Yes
No N/A Yes
Washington (WA)

ASAP after October 1, 2025. Check with your financial aid office.

ASAP after October 1, 2024 No Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Direct Supports/Other Policy Yes
West Virginia (WV)

Promise Scholarship: March 1, 2026. New applicants must submit additional form. Contact your financial aid office or state agency.

WV Higher Education Grant: April 15, 2026

WV Invests Grant: For priority consideration, submit by April 15, 2026.

PROMISE Scholarship: March 1, 2025. New applicants must submit additional form. Contact your financial aid office or state agency.

WV Higher Education Grant: April 15, 2025

WV Invests Grant: For priority consideration, submit by April 15, 2025.

No Yes No No Yes Direct Supports/Other Policy  No
Wisconsin (WI) Check with your financial aid administrator. Check with your financial aid administrator. No
Yes Yes No No N/A No
Wyoming (WY) Check with your financial aid administrator; additional forms may be required.
Check with your financial aid administrator; additional forms may be required.
No Yes
         

Note: NCAN will regularly maintain and update this page, as the information reflected in the table may change. NCAN is grateful to the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), the State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO), and the the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs (NASSGAP) for their thought partnership, help disseminating the survey used to collect this information, and for sharing their research on state grant programs.