FAFSA Deadline: Dates To Know In IL For Student Financial Aid

ILLINOIS — Students applying for financial aid through FAFSA should know of key deadlines in Illinois for submitting applications. And since Illinois is one of a handful of states where financial aid is limited, students should apply early for assistance before it runs out.

The FAFSA form becomes available every October for the following school year. To be eligible for FAFSA, students have to meet a certain set of requirements. The Department of Education says every student who meets certain eligibility requirements can get some type of federal student aid, regardless of age or family income.

The deadline for submitting FAFSA forms for the 2019-20 school year varies by state and there isn’t just one singular deadline. In a blog post, the Department of Education explains that there are three deadlines prospective students should pay attention to: the deadline set by the college, the deadline set by the state and the federal deadline. According to the DOE, the common thread is that all three will look at your FAFSA form to determine your eligibility.

The DOE says the college deadlines vary by school, but they usually come well before the academic year begins.

In Illinois, here are the different deadlines for applying:

• State Deadline: As soon as possible after Oct. 1, 2018 — so do it now if you haven't already. Awards are made until funds are depleted, and in Illinois, financial aid is limited.
• College Deadline: Many colleges have their own deadline, so check with schools you are interested in attending to make sure you don't miss it. Visit the school’s website or contact its financial aid office. School deadlines are usually early in the year (often in February or March, although some are even earlier now that the FAFSA form is available in October). You may also want to ask your college about its definition of an application deadline and whether it is the date the college receives your FAFSA form or the date your FAFSA form is processed.
• Federal Deadline: Online applications must be submitted by midnight June 30, 2020. Corrections must be submitted by midnight Sept. 12, 2020.

Not sure which FAFSA to fill out? Here's some helpful info:

More information on FAFSA, including eligibility requirements can be found here.

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