2026–27 FAFSA State-by-State Priority Deadlines (November 2025 Update)
Federal deadline: June 30, 2027 (11:59 p.m. CT)
State priority deadlines: Submit by these dates to maximize state grants & scholarships — many are first-come, first-served.
| State | Priority Deadline | Key Programs / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | As soon as possible | Alabama Student Grant – limited funding |
| Alaska | July 1, 2026 | Alaska Performance Scholarship |
| Arizona | As soon as possible | Limited state aid |
| Arkansas | July 1, 2026 | Academic Challenge |
| California | March 2, 2026 | Cal Grant (GPA verification also due March 2) |
| Colorado | As soon as possible | First-come, first-served |
| Connecticut | As soon as possible | Governor’s Scholarship |
| Delaware | April 15, 2026 | SEED/SEEDS |
| Florida | May 15, 2026 | Florida Bright Futures |
| Georgia | As soon as possible | HOPE/Zell Miller – limited funds |
| Hawaii | As soon as possible | Hawaii Promise |
| Idaho | March 1, 2026 | Opportunity Scholarship |
| Illinois | As soon as possible | MAP Grant – runs out fast |
| Indiana | April 15, 2026 | Frank O’Bannon Grant |
| Iowa | July 1, 2026 | Earlier for some programs |
| Kansas | April 1, 2026 | Kansas Comprehensive Grant |
| Kentucky | As soon as possible | KEES & College Access – limited |
| Louisiana | July 1, 2026 | TOPS – February 1 recommended |
| Maine | May 1, 2026 | Maine State Grant |
| Maryland | March 1, 2026 | Howard P. Rawlings Guarantee |
| Massachusetts | May 1, 2026 | MASSGrant |
| Michigan | March 1, 2026 | Tuition Incentive Program |
| Minnesota | 30 days after term starts | MN State Grant |
| Mississippi | April 30, 2026 | MTAG/MESG/HELP |
| Missouri | April 1, 2026 | Access Missouri |
| Montana | March 1, 2026 | Montana STEM/University Scholarship |
| Nebraska | As soon as possible | Nebraska Opportunity Grant |
| Nevada | As soon as possible | Silver State Opportunity |
| New Hampshire | May 1, 2026 | Unique Allocation |
| New Jersey | April 15, 2026 (renewal) / Sept 15, 2026 (new) | TAG |
| New Mexico | As soon as possible | Legislative Lottery |
| New York | June 30, 2026 | TAP (additional application required) |
| North Carolina | As soon as possible | NC Need-Based |
| North Dakota | April 15, 2026 | ND State Grant |
| Ohio | October 1, 2026 | Ohio College Opportunity Grant |
| Oklahoma | As soon as possible | Oklahoma’s Promise |
| Oregon | As soon as possible | Oregon Opportunity Grant |
| Pennsylvania | May 1, 2026 | PA State Grant |
| Rhode Island | March 1, 2026 | RI Promise |
| South Carolina | June 30, 2026 | Palmetto Fellows / LIFE / HOPE |
| South Dakota | As soon as possible | SD Opportunity |
| Tennessee | February 1, 2026 | HOPE & TSAA |
| Texas | January 15, 2026 | Priority for state grants (TASFA also) |
| Utah | As soon as possible | Utah Promise |
| Vermont | As soon as possible | Vermont Grant |
| Virginia | As soon as possible | Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant |
| Washington | As soon as possible | Washington College Grant |
| West Virginia | March 1, 2026 | PROMISE Scholarship |
| Wisconsin | As soon as possible | Wisconsin Grant |
| Wyoming | As soon as possible | Hathaway Scholarship |
Never miss a deadline again — bookmark this page and submit early!