The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced that the Department of Higher Education (DHE) has extended the deadline for students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the priority deadline for MASSGrant, the state’s largest financial aid program.

Students who qualify for MASSGrant and apply by July 1, 2024, are guaranteed to receive financial assistance from this program. However, students can still complete the FAFSA after July 1 and be eligible for financial aid through MASSGrant for the 2024/2025 school year up until January 1, 2025.

“I want all students, but especially those in the First Middlesex District, to know that there is still time to complete the FAFSA and become eligible for financial aid,” said State Senator Edward J. Kennedy. “Massachusetts has more aid available than ever before, and I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for students to ensure they attend college with as limited financial implications as possible.”

The deadline extension directly responds to significantly fewer FAFSA applicants than in previous years.

As of June 17th, there are approximately 10 percent fewer FAFSA applications than at the same time the previous year. With this gap remaining, DHE has extended the application deadline (previously May 1st, 2024) to allow students looking to receive federal or state financial more time to apply.

The Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid (MASFA) is also available for students who cannot complete the FAFSA due to immigration status. MA residents can visit www.mass.gov/financialaid to learn more about state and federal financial aid and register for FAFSA sessions that will provide one-on-one help with the FAFSA or MASFA (Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid).