Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions students make, and it’s often driven by the financial aid they’ll receive.
Yet, with FAFSA opening late again this year, many students face a challenging dilemma: Should they commit to a college without a clear picture of their financial aid?
This article helps you to understand the pros and cons of making a college commitment before FAFSA opens, guiding students and families through key considerations to help make the best decision.
The FAFSA Delay and What It Means
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is essential for students looking to secure federal financial aid, loans with fixed interest rates, and unique protections like deferment and forbearance.
This year, however, FAFSA will open in December rather than October due to anticipated system improvements, which leaves students applying for the 2025-26 academic year in the dark longer than usual.
Why is FAFSA Important?
FAFSA isn’t just a form—it’s the gateway to most types of federal financial aid. Completing FAFSA allows families to understand their “Student Aid Index” (SAI), which determines their eligibility for financial aid such as grants, work-study, and loans.
Without this knowledge, committing to a college can lead to unexpected costs, or worse, unaffordable debt.
Should You Commit to College Before the FAFSA Opens?
Most students are well into their college selection process by now, and many face early decision (ED) or early action (EA) deadlines. But without FAFSA information, families lack clarity on how much they’ll need to pay.
Early Decision and Financial Risks
For students accepted through early decision, committing to a college before completing FAFSA presents unique challenges.
According to Kevin Ladd of Scholarships.com, committing through early decision requires students to withdraw applications from other colleges, eliminating the ability to compare financial aid offers.
“Even if your household income is fairly high and you think you aren’t likely to get a lot of need-based financial aid, you are unable to compare financial aid letters from other colleges,” Ladd says.
This can mean that students may have to rely on student loans to cover higher-than-expected costs, which may lead to larger debt burdens down the road.
Early Action Offers More Flexibility
Unlike early decision, early action allows students to receive an early acceptance without binding them to the school. CollegeBoard explains that students can wait until the standard reply date of May 1st to make their final decision, which provides time to see their complete financial aid package before committing.
Waiting for FAFSA: The Potential Downsides and Alternatives
While waiting for FAFSA is generally recommended, some students and families may not want to delay their college decision. Here are a few alternative approaches and key factors to consider.
Estimating Aid Without FAFSA
Some colleges provide tools to help estimate costs even without FAFSA. Wealth planner Jack Wang explains that many schools offer “conditional financial aid packages” or estimates based on the CSS Profile or their own SAI calculators. Colleges can often give a fairly accurate estimate of financial aid, which may help families feel more comfortable committing.
“Without knowing what their cost will be out-of-pocket, families cannot possibly determine if it’s something they can willingly pay for,” says Wang. He also notes that merit scholarships and some aid might be visible at the time of acceptance, but additional aid often hinges on FAFSA completion.
Colleges That Provide Cost Guarantees
Due to FAFSA delays in recent years, some colleges have promised that their final aid offers won’t fall below the initial estimates provided to students. Laurie Kopp Weingarten, a higher education consultant, notes that such assurances can be beneficial, offering families peace of mind that their expected aid won’t diminish after the FAFSA process is complete.
Key Considerations: Should You Commit?
Ultimately, deciding to commit to a college before FAFSA opens depends on each family’s unique circumstances, but there are several important factors to weigh:
- Compare Financial Aid Packages: Without FAFSA, families can’t compare aid across multiple schools, potentially missing out on better financial aid offers elsewhere.
- Understand Potential Costs: Moving forward without FAFSA details can result in higher costs than expected, especially if loans are needed to fill gaps.
- Seek College-Specific Guarantees: If a college provides a cost guarantee, committing early may carry less financial risk.
Final Thoughts
While some families may feel ready to commit without waiting for FAFSA, experts generally advise against it unless the student is bound by an early decision agreement. Waiting provides the flexibility to compare financial aid packages, helping families make an informed, financially sound choice.
“Unless the student applied under a binding early decision plan, there isn’t usually a good reason to commit without seeing all the options,” says Weingarten.
In the end, every student’s journey is unique, and each family should weigh the costs, risks, and personal preferences carefully. By waiting for FAFSA, students can make one of their first major financial decisions with all the information they need to thrive academically and financially.
