FAFSA deadline 2023 California

Applying is free, and many students are surprised to find out what they're eligible to receive. Whether or not you think you’ll qualify for need-based financial aid, it’s still a good idea to apply — it’s the only way to you'll be considered for every type of aid possible.

Here's how to apply:

1. Submit your application for admission to UC.

• When you fill out the application for undergraduate admission, you have the opportunity to apply to a number of UC scholarships. 

2. File a 2023–24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) OR a California Dream Act Application between October 1, 2022 and March 2, 2023.

• Most students should file a FAFSA, which serves as your primary application for most federal, state and school financial aid. Students can begin applying Oct. 1. See our tips for filling out the FAFSA »

• If you're an undocumented student, file a California Dream Act Application for state and school financial aid instead. Students can begin applying Oct. 1. See our tips for filling out the California Dream Act Application »

• If you're an international student attending UC on a student visa, learn more about financing your UC education.

3. Check to make sure your Cal Grant GPA verification was submitted.

• If you're a California resident or eligible for in-state tuition under AB540, make sure your GPA has been submitted for a Cal Grant (in addition to the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application).

• California community colleges and most California high schools automatically submit students' GPAs for Cal Grants. Check with your school to make sure; if they don't automatically submit your GPA, download the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form or the Non-SSN GPA Verification form for Cal Grants (for undocumented students) and have your school submit it to the California Student Aid Commission.

The FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and Cal Grant GPA Verification Form must be completed and filed (postmarked) between October 1, 2022 and April 1, 2023.

Don't wait until you're accepted to UC to apply for financial aid.

What happens next?

All of the information you submit will help UC determine the amount and type of financial aid you receive. Each UC campus to which you have been accepted will calculate your aid and send you an electronic financial aid award offer.

Here's what you should do after applying to keep the financial aid process on track:

• Find out how campuses will communicate with you. All campuses rely on students to frequently check email and student online portals for document requests and award notices.

• Campuses may contact you seeking additional information. Respond immediately to all requests for follow-up documents and actions, including those from both the financial aid and admissions offices.

• You should hear about your financial aid award before the campus asks you to commit to attending, and with enough time to make an informed decision. (The Statement of Intent to Register deadline for most campuses is generally May 1 for freshmen and June 1 for transfers).

• Make sure you accept (or decline) your financial aid offer (typically through the UC campus online portal).

• After you've been admitted, if your personal or family circumstances change or your basic financial aid budget doesn't cover your educational expenses, you can appeal to your campus financial aid office for more help.

• Apply again next year! You'll need to apply for financial aid every year you're enrolled in school to continue receiving aid. (And even if you didn't receive financial aid one year, you may be eligible to receive financial aid the following year).

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• The deadline to apply for the FAFSA for the 2023-24 school year is June 30, 2024.
• Fill out your FAFSA as soon after October 1 as possible for the best chance at aid.
• Corrections or updates to your FAFSA are due by September 14, 2024. 

On October 1, 2022, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, opened for the 2023-24 academic year. It might seem a bit early to be thinking about your next school year at the start of the current one, but applying as soon as possible gives you the best chance at the most aid. 

The FAFSA is a form that determines what types of student aid you qualify for. You'll need to provide various documents to determine how much financial aid you'll receive. 

Most colleges and universities take the information provided on the FAFSA to come up with your financial aid package, which includes aid from both the government and your school. You can put up to 10 schools to your FAFSA application, though you may add or remove schools after your initial submission.

2023-24 school year FAFSA deadlines

The FAFSA is open for roughly 20 months from the start of the application period to the end each academic year. Apply for the FAFSA as soon after October 1 as possible for the best chance to qualify for aid that has a limited pool of money available.

Aid with limited funds includes grants, scholarships, and certain federal work-study programs. You can submit your application as late as June 30 for a given academic year, but you'll want to submit earlier to get your money in time for the start of the school year.

It takes about 30 minutes to one hour to fill out your FAFSA. Your FAFSA information will be used to determine your eligibility for state and college aid as well. 

Ryan Wangman is a reporter at Personal Finance Insider reporting on personal loans, student loans, student loan refinancing, debt consolidation, auto loans, RV loans, and boat loans. He is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF). In his past experience writing about personal finance, he has written about credit scores, financial literacy, and homeownership. He graduated from Northwestern University and has previously written for The Boston Globe.  Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services here >>

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