Should You Worry About a Shutdown Before Filing the FAFSA?

File FAFSA Early — Especially During a Government Shutdown
By Dr. Shaan Patel, CEO & Founder of Prep Expert®

As the government shutdown stretches into one of the longest in U.S. history, millions of families are left wondering how it will affect financial aid. The truth is that while Pell Grants and federal student loans remain funded, the people who process those applications are not all on the job. That means FAFSA applications are piling up, and students who delay may find themselves waiting longer for their aid to arrive.

The good news: you can still file. The better news: filing early puts you at the front of the line when operations resume.

Why FAFSA Still Works During a Shutdown

Even during a federal shutdown, funding for student aid programs such as Pell Grants and federal loans continues. These programs are mandatorily funded, meaning they aren’t frozen by a lapse in government appropriations. However, the shutdown affects the staff, not the system.

With employees from the Department of Education and the Office of Federal Student Aid furloughed, processing speeds slow dramatically. Applications are still received and time-stamped, but they won’t be reviewed or verified until the government fully reopens.

That’s why timing matters more than ever.

First Come, First Served

When the system comes back online, FAFSA applications will be processed in the order they were received. Filing today could mean your aid package gets processed weeks or even months ahead of someone who waits until the spring.

I often tell students: think of FAFSA like airline boarding groups. If you check in early, you get to board early. Those who wait risk getting stuck in the back, or missing their flight altogether.

The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2026, but most states and colleges have much earlier cutoffs, some as early as March. I recommend submitting your FAFSA by the end of December or early January, around the same time most college applications are due.

That way, your application is guaranteed to be in the queue before the backlog worsens.

What Students and Families Should Do Right Now

If you haven’t yet filed your FAFSA, don’t panic, but don’t procrastinate either. Here’s what to do:

1. File immediately. Visit FAFSA.gov and complete your application online. The portal is still operational even if federal workers aren’t.
2. Double-check your information. Mistakes or missing signatures can delay your processing further once the system restarts.
3. Check your email regularly. You’ll receive updates and verification requests once processing resumes. Respond quickly when that happens.
4. Apply for other sources of aid. State programs, local scholarships, and nonprofit grants aren’t affected by the shutdown.
5. Track your timestamps. Save screenshots or confirmations showing when your application was submitted—this can help if disputes arise about your submission date.

Why Filing Early Can Mean More Money

Many families don’t realize that FAFSA isn’t just about federal aid. Most colleges use the FAFSA to determine institutional scholarships and grants as well.

When your FAFSA is delayed, those offers may also be delayed, or worse, awarded to someone else. Filing early ensures you’re eligible for both federal and school-based funds.

And remember: some financial aid is literally first-come, first-served. Once a school exhausts its funding for grants or work-study, there’s nothing left to distribute.

Beyond FAFSA: Building a Backup Plan

Even if delays continue, students can still reduce financial stress by diversifying their aid sources:

• Apply for local scholarships. Small community-based awards are often easier to win and renew annually.
• Explore state-based programs. Many states offer need-based and merit-based aid independent of the federal system.
• Look into nonprofit grants. Organizations like the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, United Negro College Fund, and community foundations provide reliable funding options.

The FAFSA is your foundation, but it shouldn’t be your only plan.

Final Thoughts

The government shutdown highlights a critical truth: higher education doesn’t stop for bureaucracy. Students still need funding, colleges still have deadlines, and the clock keeps ticking.

That’s why acting early matters. Filing your FAFSA now ensures your application is timestamped, queued, and ready for review as soon as the government reopens.

At Prep Expert®, we always tell students that discipline pays dividends, whether it’s in test prep, scholarships, or financial planning. FAFSA is no different. The families who act now will be the ones who start their next semester with less stress and more stability.

Because in college admissions, and in life, timing is everything.

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Dr. Shaan Patel is a Shark Tank winner, bestselling author, and founder of Prep Expert®, an education company that has helped students improve test scores, win scholarships, and gain admission to top universities. He scored a perfect SAT and is passionate about expanding access to education worldwide.