Alongside going to school and doing homework, high school students may spend time studying for standardized tests, participating in extracurriculars, and volunteering in their community, with the hopes of standing out in their college applications.
On top of all that work, high school students also have to manage the many deadlines that are a major part of the college application process. A bit stressful, right? Especially when you consider the fact that applying to college costs money.
In order to make the whole experience a bit more seamless, we’ve rounded up important college application deadlines that are helpful for students to track. That way, instead of worrying about missed deadlines, you can jot these dates down and get back to hitting the books.
Table of Contents
Key Points
• Most colleges have regular decision deadlines around January 1st, giving students ample time to complete and submit their applications.
• For those applying early, deadlines are usually in November, offering a chance for early admission.
• FAFSA and other financial aid applications often have deadlines in June, but students should submit as early as they can as some awards are on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Various scholarships have different deadlines, but many fall between January and March, requiring proactive planning.
• Students should fill out the FAFSA to see if they qualify for federal financial aid. They can also rely on private student loans to fill in any gaps.
SAT Deadlines
While the SAT is not the only college entrance exam that students take, it is the one that is more commonly utilized by universities and colleges during the admissions process. This exam is administered by the College Board and is intended to measure the student’s readiness for college.
Typically, high school students will take the SAT starting in the spring of their junior year and ending in the fall of their junior year. Some students choose to take the test multiple times throughout this time period. The SATs are available to take each year in the months of March, May, June, August, October, November, and December.
While the official testing dates will vary on a year-to-year basis, these are the anticipated dates for registration and testing for the 2025-26 school year. SAT subject tests are not necessarily available to take on all of these dates.
| SAT Test Date | Registration Deadline | Deadline for Regular Cancellation |
|---|---|---|
| August 23, 2025 | August 8, 2025 | August 12, 2025 |
| September 13, 2025 | August 29, 2025 | September 2, 2025 |
| October 4, 2025 | September 19, 2025 | September 23, 2025 |
| November 8, 2025 | October 24, 2025 | October 28, 2025 |
| December 6, 2025 | November 21, 2025 | November 25, 2025 |
| March 14, 2026 | February 27, 2026 | March 3, 2026 |
| May 2, 2026 | April 17, 2026 | April 21, 2026 |
| June 6, 2026 | May 22, 2026 | May 26, 2026 |
When it comes time for students to provide their scores to colleges, they will do so when they submit their complete application. Application deadlines will vary by school, but there are some common deadlines worth considering.
For regular decision applications (not early decision), the most common deadline is January 1st. Many schools also have a January 15th deadline. The main exception to these January deadlines is the University of California system which has a much earlier deadline of November 30th for all schools in their system.
Some schools offer later deadlines in February, March, or April, but this is less common.
ACT Deadlines
Similar to the SAT, the ACT is a college entrance exam that colleges and universities use during the admission decision process. Also like the SAT, the ACT is designed to evaluate how ready a high school student is for college. ACT test scores are taken into consideration during the admission process by the colleges that require them.
Students take this exam during the same time period as the SAT, from the spring of their junior year to the fall of their senior year. Students can choose to take this test multiple times in the hope of improving their score before they submit their college applications.
Each year, the ACT is offered in the months of February, April, June, July, September, October, and December. The one exception being that there are no tests scheduled in July in New York.
The official testing dates vary each year, but the following dates are available for registration and testing for the 2025-26 school year.
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | Late Registration Deadline | Photo Upload & Standby Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 6, 2025 | August 1 | August 19 | August 29 |
| October 18, 2025 | September 12 | September 30 | October 10 |
| December 13, 2025 | November 7 | November 24 | December 5 |
| February 14, 2026 | January 9 | January 23 | February 6 |
| April 11, 2026 | March 6 | March 24 | April 3 |
| June 13, 2026 | May 8 | May 29 | June 5 |
| July 11, 2026 | June 5 | June 24 | July 3 |
Just like with their SAT scores, students will submit their ACT when they complete their college applications. The ACT automatically sends the students scores from the ACT test directly to the schools of their choice.
Recommended: Ultimate College Application Checklist
The Common Application Deadlines
The Common Application is a highly convenient option for many students applying to more than one college. With just one application, students can apply to up to 20 schools (with more than 1,100 schools to choose from) in the U.S. and internationally. The Common App even helps students manage the many application deadlines they may be facing.
In each student’s “Dashboard” through The Common App, they will be alerted of their application deadlines. To meet an application deadline, the student must submit their application materials by 11:59 pm in their local time zone on the deadline date. The Common App recommends submitting the application well before 11:59 pm in case there are any last minute complications caused by a technical barrier, such as loss of internet connection.
FAFSA Deadlines
When students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®), they will be considered for federal student aid. Many states and colleges also use the FAFSA to determine their own financial aid awards for students, such as scholarships, grants, and loans. The amount of aid is limited, so meeting the FAFSA deadlines is super important.
The following deadlines are worth remembering:
Federal Deadlines
To be considered for federal student aid for the 2025–26 award year, the FAFSA must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central Time (CT) on June 30, 2026. Any FAFSA corrections or updates must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on September 12, 2026.
College Deadlines
Each college a student is accepted at may have a different deadline for submitting the FAFSA to their particular financial aid department. Students should double check this deadline for any schools they want to potentially attend.
State Deadlines
Each state has a unique deadline which students can review on the Federal Student Aid website .
Early Decision Deadlines
When applying for an early decision, the traditional deadline is in November, typically falling on the 1st or the 15th. However, some schools now offer what is called Early Decision II, which offers students a chance to apply for an early decision but at a later date, typically in January. Each school’s dates vary, so it’s a good idea for students to confirm these dates with the schools they are interested in.
Recommended: What Happens If You Back Out of Early Decision?
Early Action Deadlines
Students applying for early action can expect a deadline of November 1st or November 15th for the most part. As they are applying early, they generally receive an admissions decision early as well. This usually happens in mid-December.
The main difference between early decision and early action is that early decision binds a student to attend that specific school. Early action simply means you are receiving a decision early in the application process; it’s non-binding.
Rolling Admissions Deadlines
Some schools offer more flexibility on their admissions deadlines by offering what is called “rolling admissions.” The difference between a rolling admission process and a deadline-based admission process is that colleges with rolling admissions evaluate applications as they are submitted, rather than waiting until an official deadline to review them all at once. These schools evaluate applications as they receive them until they have filled all of their incoming class slots.
A rolling admissions decision essentially allows a student to apply anytime they would like and they have until the school’s decision deadline to choose if they will attend. Typically schools with rolling admissions deadlines have longer admission windows, which gives students time to apply to other schools.
College Decision Day Deadlines
While not all schools set their acceptance deadlines for the College Decision Day date, many schools do. May 1st is National College Decision Day, the deadline for students to officially choose which college they will attend — though they can make their decision earlier if they wish. Students have to sign a letter of intent to enroll and typically need to submit a deposit to hold their spot in the incoming class.
College Education Financing Options
Once the college application deadlines for high school seniors pass and the acceptance letters begin to roll in, students and their families may begin to think about how they’ll finance a college education. After reviewing the financial aid package offered by their school, the student will have a better idea of how much they may need to take out in student loans in order to cover the costs of tuition, books, and room and board.
There are two types of student loans: federal and private. Federal student loans can be obtained from the United States government and their terms are set by law. As mentioned, students can apply for federal student aid by filling out the FAFSA annually. Federal loans offer fixed income rates and certain protections, such as income-driven repayment plans.
Private student loans, on the other hand, come from private lenders such as credit unions, banks, and online lenders. Terms for private student loans are generally based on the applicant’s (or cosigner’s) credit history, among other factors. Unlike federal loans, private loans don’t come with government-based protections.
Recommended: A Complete Guide to Private Student Loans
The Takeaway
Navigating college application deadlines is crucial for a smooth and successful admissions process. By staying organized and meeting key deadlines for regular decision, early decision, financial aid, and scholarships, students can maximize their opportunities and reduce stress.
When it’s time to pay for college, students can turn to a combination of federal aid — such as grants, scholarships, and federal loans — as well as private student loans to help cover the cost.
If you’ve exhausted all federal student aid options, no-fee private student loans from SoFi can help you pay for school. The online application process is easy, and you can see rates and terms in just minutes. Repayment plans are flexible, so you can find an option that works for your financial plan and budget.
FAQ
What are the important dates for college applications?
Important dates for college applications include early decision/early action deadlines (usually in November), regular decision deadlines (typically in January), financial aid application deadlines (often in February), and decision notification dates (usually in April). Students should also note campus visit and scholarship application deadlines.
What month do most people apply for college?
Most people apply for college in December and January for regular decision deadlines, while some apply in November for early decision or early action programs.
What is the most common college application deadline?
The most common college application deadline is January 1st for regular decision, though early decision and early action deadlines are typically in November.
About the author
Jacqueline DeMarco
Jacqueline DeMarco is a freelance writer who specializes in financial topics. Her first job out of college was in the financial industry, and it was there she gained a passion for helping others understand tricky financial topics. Read full bio.
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