Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Deadline Extended to May 2, 2024

We are fully dedicated to supporting the education of students, our future pioneers, leaders, and community leaders. Financial aid serves as a cornerstone in enabling countless individuals across our state to pursue higher education and realize their professional ambitions. Ensuring equitable access to these opportunities is paramount.

One vital step in accessing financial aid is the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens doors to federal, state, and institutional assistance. Recognizing the significance of this process, California recently took swift action by extending the application deadline for state financial aid programs. The deadline, originally set for April 2, has been extended to May 2, 2024, affording students an additional month to submit their FAFSA by the state’s priority cutoff.

This adjustment aims to provide much-needed support to students navigating challenges stemming from recent changes in the federal FAFSA rollout.

To complement these efforts, the California Department of Education and the California Student Aid Commission have joined forces with local partners across the state. Together, they are offering a range of resources, including financial aid workshops tailored for students, counselors, and community members. These initiatives underscore our commitment to comprehensive outreach and training.

Please encourage your students to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid on the California Student Aid Commission’s website at https://www.csac.ca.gov/ by May 2, 2024.

Sincerely,

Tony Thurmond
State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Last Reviewed: Monday, May 6, 2024

Recently Posted in Letters

Approved List of Screening Instruments for TK (added 27-Mar-2026)
Letter to County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators regarding the approved list of screening instruments for Transitional Kindergarten Multilingual Learners.
Upcoming Observance of Farmworkers Day (added 26-Mar-2026)
Letter to County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators regarding the upcoming observance of Farmworkers Day on March 31, 2026.
2026 Workplace Readiness Week (added 26-Mar-2026)
Letter to County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators regarding Workplace Readiness Week.
Supporting Student Mental Health (added 24-Mar-2026)
Joint letter from the California Department of Education, the California Department of Health Care Services, and the California Health and Human Services Agency to colleagues regarding supporting student mental health.
Honoring the Farmworkers Movement (added 20-Mar-2026)
Update Regarding Observance of March 31 State Holiday to Honor the Farmworkers Movement and Latino Civil Rights

2027 California Teachers of the Year Program (added 16-Mar-2026)
Letter to County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and School Principals regarding the 2027 California Teachers of the Year Program.
Raising Awareness of the Armenian Genocide (added 11-Mar-2026)
Letter to County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and High School Principals regarding essay and visual arts scholarships to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide.
2026 National Youth Science Camp (added 11-Mar-2026)
Letter to County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and High School Principals regarding the 2026 National Youth Science Camp.
Living Black History Webinar with Malia M. Cohen (added 17-Feb-2026)
Living Black History webinar with California State Controller Malia M. Cohen on February 20, 2026.
Living Black History Webinar Series Starts (added 11-Feb-2026)
Letter to County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators regarding the Living Black History webinar with California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber and former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown.