FAFSA is your first stop – all federal and most state aid is based on the FAFSA.

The 2018–19 FAFSA form will be available on Oct. 1, 2017. Completing and submitting the FAFSA® form is free and quick, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school. 

While the 2018–19 FAFSA deadline for federal aid is June 30, 2019, your state and school probably have earlier FAFSA deadlines for students who want to receive their aid. For some states, their deadline will be “as soon as possible after Oct. 1.”

Some of these states may have limited financial aid funds—and you could miss out on aid if you wait until the last minute to apply. Check with your school’s financial aid office to make sure you are aware of, and are able to meet, all student aid deadlines. To maximize your potential aid, you should submit a FAFSA as early as possible after Oct. 1.

 https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa