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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.

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.

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.

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.

A no-interest, or 0%, credit card means you won’t be charged any interest on your purchases for a certain period of time. In some cases, these cards also offer 0% interest on balance transfers for a set period of time.

But these cards also have some potential downsides. For one, the 0% annual percentage rate (APR) is only temporary. Once the promotional period ends, a potentially high APR will start accruing on any remaining balance you have on the card. In addition, you typically have to pay a fee to transfer your balance, which might negate any savings on interest.

Here are key things to know before signing up for a no-interest credit card.

Pros of No-Interest Credit Cards

Using a 0% APR credit card can create some breathing room within your budget. Here’s a look at some of the key perks, and how to make the most of them.

No Interest During the Promotional Period

Of course, one of the biggest advantages of a zero-interest card is that you’ll pay just that — zero interest — for a certain period of time, which may be anywhere from six to 18 months or perhaps a bit longer. If you use the card to make a large purchase and are able to pay it off in full before the end of the promotional period, it can be the equivalent of getting an interest-free loan.

Opportunity to Pay Down Debt Faster

In some cases, you also get the 0% APR on any balance you transfer over from another credit card. This can make a no-interest card a good option for consolidating and paying off high-interest credit card debt. If you have a plan in place to pay off the debt within the promotional period, a balance transfer could improve your financial situation.

💡 Quick Tip: A low-interest personal loan from SoFi can help you consolidate your debts, lower your monthly payments, and get you out of debt sooner.

Perks and Bonus Rewards

Some credit cards with 0% APR introductory rates on purchases and/or balance transfers also have additional rewards bonus programs. This might include a welcome offer and/or cash back or rewards points based on each dollar you spend. These extras can lead to even more savings.

For example, say you want to purchase a new chair that costs $500. After some research, you find a credit card offering an introductory 0% APR for 15 months and a $200 rewards bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within the first three months of opening the account. You decide this will work for your financial situation, so you apply and are approved. After buying the chair with the new credit card, you pay the balance in full before the promotional period ends.

With this example, not only would you have paid nothing in interest, you would also have netted $200 in rewards cash.

Cons of No-Interest Credit Cards

Some might look at no-interest credit cards as too good to be true. That’s not necessarily the case, but there can be some drawbacks to them. Here are some potential pitfalls to be aware of.

Temporary Promotional Rate

Alas, that 0% APR doesn’t last forever. If you use the card for a large purchase but are unable to fully pay it off before the end of the promotional period, any balance will start accruing the card’s regular APR.

At that point, the card may not have any advantages over any other card. In fact, the card could have an APR that is higher than the average credit card interest rate. When comparing 0% rate cards, it’s important to look at what the rate will be when the promo period ends and exactly when it will kick in.

Also keep in mind that you could lose the 0% intro APR before the end of the promo period if you are late with a payment. Here again, it pays to read the fine print.

Fees for Balance Transfers

Some — but not all — no-interest credit cards also feature a 0% APR on balance transfers. However, you typically still have to pay a balance transfer fee, often around 3% to 5% of the transferred balance. If you’re transferring a large balance from another card, the balance transfer fee could actually be significant. You’ll want to do the math before making the switch to be sure it will work in your favor.

Interest May Apply Retroactively

Similar to a no-interest credit card, a deferred-interest credit offer is one that’s commonly a feature of retail or store cards. If you’ve been asked if you’d like to apply for a store’s credit card when you’re making a purchase, it might be one that comes with a deferred interest promotion.

Like no-interest credit cards, a deferred-interest card doesn’t charge interest as long as the balance is paid in full within a certain time period. The biggest difference between the two: If the balance is not paid in full before the promotional period ends, interest will be applied to the entire purchase — not just the remaining balance. And APRs on deferred-interest cards can be even higher than APRs charged by regular credit cards.

Recommended: Personal Loan Calculator

Can Credit Scores Be Affected by No-Interest Credit Cards?

Applying for a new credit card results in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can have a minor, temporary negative impact on your credit scores. This is generally nothing to worry about.

However, repeatedly opening new credit cards and transferring balances to them can cause a long-term negative impact on your credit. That’s because too many hard inquiries too close together can lead lenders to believe you’re applying for more credit than you can pay back.

While no-interest credit cards have their advantages, credit card debt could escalate. If that occurs, it can be wise to seek credit counseling or look into a credit card consolidation loan, which can offer a lower interest rate and streamlined payments.

The Takeaway

A 0% intro APR card can help you avoid paying interest on your purchases for a set period of time. It can also allow you to consolidate and pay down credit card debt faster.

Keep in mind, however, that cards with no interest often come with a balance transfer fee. Also be aware that your interest rate will likely be much higher when the intro APR offer ends if you haven’t paid off your balance by then. Another option could be paying off high-interest credit cards with a personal loan.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

FAQ

Is it a good idea to get a zero-interest credit card?

If you make on-time payments and pay off your balance before the intro period ends, then it can be a good idea to get a 0% APR credit card. But if you overspend and carry a balance, you may face high interest rates when the introductory period is over.

Does a 0% credit card affect your credit?

Credit bureaus don’t look at your interest rate, but they do look at your credit limit and what percent of that you are utilizing. So in that way, no-interest cards can impact your credit score. Also, when you apply for one of these cards, the issuer likely conducts a hard credit pull, which will usually lower your score by a few points temporarily.

Is 0% interest a trap?

A 0% interest credit card can be a valuable financial tool if used responsibly. However, if you can’t pay off your balance, when the introductory period ends, you may be stuck with your debt growing thanks to the high interest rate that kicks in. In that way, you could find yourself in a debt trap.

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