What is the difference between FAFSA deadlines and school FAFSA deadlines?

Question

Just wondering...what's the difference?

Answer 1

FAFSA deadlines are for everyone that applies for financial aid and school deadlines are for the grants or funds that the school offers. The earlier you complete your FAFSA the better. The FAFSA begins January 1 of every year.

Answer 2

The schools priority deadlines are set to maximize financial aid for you and ensure everything is processed and your money is ready for you to start school in the fall.  

The fafsa deadline (June 30, 2009 for next academic year) is just the last date you can submit the application.  If you have the money to pay tuition and books BEFORE that date and don't mind waiting months and months after you pay the school you can apply up to this date.

Always apply for federal fin aid as early as possible.  Be aware "early" in financial aid terms is like 6 to 8 MONTHS before school starts, not 4 weeks.  At large schools with a lot of folks applying for fin aid, it may not be ready in time and you may have to pay everything up front and be reimbursed for any financial aid you get after your fafsa is processed.