December is a closing month, bringing an end to the fall or winter academic terms, final semester grades, and the overall calendar year. As a result, many students treat this time as the big finish line. It is, after all, a big moment, and an accomplishment well worth celebrating!
But don’t get carried away; not everything is over and done. When it comes to financial aid, this time period works more like a priority queue, and you don’t want to miss out on your place in line. That’s because colleges and state programs often review early filers first; some pools even run out completely. “Priority funding” pools can be exhausted well before the federal FAFSA deadline hits, meaning late applicants are simply out of luck.
In other words? There’s no time to waste. If you’re building a college funding plan, these are the financial aid deadlines you can’t afford to miss in December.
Quick clarity on the year: We refer to the year 2025 because that’s when this piece was written. For families applying during the 2025–2026 college application cycle for fall 2026 college entry, you need to focus on the 2026–27 FAFSA form. The 2026–27 FAFSA asks for 2024 income and tax information. (It might seem confusing, but we’re here to help.)
Why now?
The FAFSA doesn’t calculate your eligibility in real time. That means the earlier you submit, the sooner colleges can build your aid offer using your data. This video does a good job of explaining why all this matters, and what priority deadlines for the FAFSA really mean for students.
Key dates for December 2025
Now, the good stuff: here’s a rundown of the most critical benchmarks coming your way in this next month. You can use this table as a basis to get your bearings, but also keep in mind that these dates are always subject to change. For the most current and accurate deadlines for your specific school list, it’s recommended to check each college’s website.
| Deadline Type | Typical Date | Why It Matters |
| State Aid (Priority) | Dec 1 – Dec 31 | First-come, first-served funding. |
| Early Decision/Action | Mid-December | Required for many private college grants. |
| Institutional Aid | Varies | College-specific funds often run out early. |
Pro tip: As you make your own list, try to use the earliest deadline from your college list as the anchor date, then work backward. Give yourself a few days of breathing room for contingencies.
Step-by-step December checklist
What do you need to do to ensure your financial aid deadlines are being met? This is a student-friendly checklist to keep you on track. Use this as a weekly outline.
- Gather the right tax documents. For students targeting the 2026–27 FAFSA, families should plan around 2024 tax and income information. Keep W-2s, 1099s, and current bank balances nearby.
- Create or update every StudentAid.gov account. Each contributor needs a separate account. Try to give yourself at least a few days to do this step, and double-check that your Social Security number and legal name match exactly across all forms. Mismatches cause some of the most common processing delays.
- File FAFSA early, then confirm the correct colleges appear on the form. Some states require additional steps or separate applications for certain student groups, and deadlines vary by state program. If a college is not listed, the school will not receive FAFSA data.
- If a college requires CSS Profile, submit before the earliest priority date. Not every college requires a CSS Profile. Check each college’s financial aid page, then aim to start the application at least two weeks before the earliest priority date.
- Watch for the FAFSA Submission Summary and review for accuracy. FAFSA Submission Summary is the updated name for the Student Aid Report (SAR). Review every field, then correct errors fast so processing stays on track.
- Track college requests in each applicant portal. Many delays happen after submission: missing documents, verification requests, or unsigned forms.
Further reading about financial aid:
If you’re new to the college financial aid process or simply want to start from square one, here are some of our best resources to point you in the right direction.
- These articles explain exactly what financial aid is, and the difference between different types (like grants, scholarships, and loans).
- Ready to start your scholarship search? This piece reviews the best scholarship search engines for 2025.
- As you start your applications, don’t forget to keep your financial aid paperwork handy and stay organized.
- For parents and guardians approaching the process, this article outlines exactly what parents should know about financial aid and college funding.
FAQ section
Still confused? It’s okay. Here are some of the most common questions parents and students tend to have right away.
Do I need to refile the FAFSA every year?
Yes. You must complete the FAFSA for each academic year you plan to attend college and request financial aid.
Can I apply for FAFSA after December?
Yes! Federal Student Aid lists the 2026–27 federal FAFSA deadline as June 30, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Still, as we discussed here, many colleges and states use earlier priority deadlines for limited funds, so waiting often reduces access to limited funds. If you haven’t already done it, the sooner the better.
What is the difference between federal and state deadlines?
Federal deadlines set the last date FAFSA is accepted for a given award year. State deadlines are separate deadlines set by the state of legal residence for state grants and scholarships. The Federal Student Aid website describes separate state deadlines alongside school and federal deadlines.
What if I missed a December 1 priority date?
Submit the required forms right away, then contact the college financial aid office. Many colleges still review late submissions, though the strongest access to limited grants usually goes to on-time filers.
Looking for more FAFSA advice?
December financial aid deadlines: eyes on the prize
December deadlines feel harsh because schools move fast, and financial aid offices run on limited pools of grant funding. The fix is simple: remember to take breaks, and treat financial aid like part of the application, not an extra step.
And, you now have a plan of action. Pick your earliest college deadline, work backward two weeks for the CSS Profile when required, and finish FAFSA with enough time for account setup and corrections.
Need even more support?
Try Empowerly! We’re experts at the college admissions process, from start to finish. Whether you need help navigating the complex world of financial aid, or an extra pair of eyes to review your essays, our team has been there. Reach out to book a free consultation with one of our team members to learn more about how we can take some of the stress of this season off your shoulders.
Procrastination is expensive when it comes to financial aid. Missing one deadline can mean thousands of dollars lost in grant eligibility.
