When can I complete the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) typically opens October 1 of each year. The FAFSA requires tax information from 2 years prior tax returns. For example, the 2024-2025 FAFSA requires 2022 tax information.
When can I expect to hear about my financial aid offer?
For the upcoming academic year 2025-2026, early estimate financial aid offers are expecting to begin approximately some time in January 2025. These estimated offers are based on the previous year’s Cost of Attendance (COA). Loan amounts will be based on student’s current class level and annual limits. HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship amounts will also be based on the previous year’s per credit hour rates. HOPE eligibility for current high school seniors will be based on end of the 11th grade status as reported by their high school during the Early Estimate period. This information will be updated in early Spring Semester based on preliminary reporting of the high school to the HOPE Office. Financial aid offers will be estimated through the beginning of Summer Semester and will then be adjusted based on actual costs, new federal aid regulations, and any state program updates.
What are the Georgia College & State University deadlines for the FAFSA?
While most deadlines are “soft” deadlines, below is a list of dates that correspond to aid processing in our office.
- July 1 – Fall semester “soft” deadline for completion of all financial aid forms. Files completed after this date will be processed as time permits, and students will be reimbursed any funds offered.
- November 1 – Spring semester “soft” deadline for completion of all financial aid forms. Files completed after this date will be processed as time permits, and students will be reimbursed any funds offered.
- April 1 – Summer semester “soft” deadline for completion of all financial aid forms. Files completed after this date will be processed as time permits, and students will be reimbursed any funds offered.
Students must submit complete financial aid applications to be considered for aid. Some programs have a limited supply of funds. Please note that this is not a guarantee of funds availability but rather a time frame based on previous history. All limited-funded programs are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Students must submit complete financial aid applications by these dates in order to use financial aid funds to pay for the semester's bill. Students whose files are not complete by this date should be prepared to pay costs until applications are processed and eligibility is determined.
Particular programs may have stricter deadlines. Examples would be HOPE/Zell Miller Scholarship and Dual Enrollment. Specific dates and/or deadlines for various aid types that deviate from the above timeline are denoted on our website in the explanation of those particular programs.
What if my financial situation has changed significantly from the tax year used on the FAFSA to the current tax year?
As in previous years, federal regulations allow Financial Aid administrators to review files on a case-by-case basis one time per academic year if your income has changed due to involuntary unemployment, death of a tax filer, or medical expenses paid out-of-pocket, etc. Please contact our office for further instructions. Supporting documentation as well as internal forms are required to request an income adjustment.
What if my parents’ (or my) marital status has changed since we filed taxes? How do we supply tax and income information on the FAFSA?
Here are some tips for this type situation:
The FAFSA asks for marital status “as of today” (the day it is filled out). So if you or your parent are married now but were not in the tax year in question (and therefore did not file taxes as married), the spouse’s income will need to be added to the FAFSA.
Similarly, if you or your parent filed taxes as married during the FAFSA tax year, but are no longer married when filling out the FAFSA, the spouse’s income will need to be subtracted.
And if you or your parent were married when filing taxes, then got divorced and are now married to someone else, there’s a bit more math to do: Subtract the previous spouse's income, then add the new spouse’s income.
What if my parent’s file a Tax Extension for the tax year used on the FAFSA?
The deadline for tax preparers to file their taxes if a tax extension was originally filed is in mid-October. Because the FAFSA requires 2 years prior taxes now, taxes for the year in question should be filed when completing the FAFSA. You will need to complete the FAFSA after your parents have actually filed their tax returns for the required year.
Will I be able to transfer my tax data from the IRS when I complete the FAFSA?
Most students and parents are able to use the Financial Aid Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) tool to transfer their actual IRS data from the tax year to the FAFSA.
Why should I use the Direct Data Transfer tool when completing my FAFSA?
The FA-DDX remains the fastest, most accurate way to input your tax return information into the FAFSA form. This tool should be used to possibly prevent delays in your Financial Aid eligibility being processed. If your file is selected for verification, tax returns will be required if this tool is not used.