The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as FAFSA, typically opens on Oct. 1, but this year families will have to wait until December to apply for federal financial aid for the 2024-2025 academic year. A specific date has not been announced for the December release, but the U.S. Department of Education has been communicating with families who filed the FAFSA last year to make sure they know when the application will open.

Students and parents can prepare by making sure they have their FAFSA login information and 2022 income tax information available. The FAFSA requires “prior, prior” year income tax information for completing the application.