By Evan Castillo
Higher education is gettingĀ more and more expensive, but students looking for free college have an increasing number of options as more colleges, universities, nursing, and medical schools step up to take finances out of the question for college attendance.
BestColleges found tuition-free bachelor’s degrees available at institutions in over 30 states, as some colleges and universities ā even Ivy League schools ā are offering free tuition to qualifying students.
Most of the colleges listed are bridging the financial gap by removing tuition and fee costs for students from lower-income families,Ā Native American students, or students pursuing degrees in fields with a labor shortage.
The state of New Mexico recently created the largest higher education trust fund in the country to cement itsĀ commitment to free college tuition for all residents. New Mexico hosts the Opportunity Scholarship and the Lottery Scholarship, open to all New Mexico residents and new high school graduates.
Ivy League schools such as Princeton University, Harvard University and Yale University take things one step further by offering a completely free college education for students from families that make less than $100,000.
Students looking to pursue health professions also have options for tuition-free and completely free medical school and tuition-free nursing school.
The University of OlivetĀ is one ofĀ a few nursing schoolsĀ offering free tuition for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The university announced a free tuition scholarship for qualifying Registered Nurses (RNs) who would like to take online five 8-week terms to earn their BSN.
The university is addressing the national nursing shortage and adjusting to more employers requiring or strongly preferring nurses with bachelor’s degrees.
The Albert Einstein College of Medicine announcedĀ it will give all students free tuition starting August 2024 and all current fourth-year students tuition reimbursement for the spring 2024 semester thanks to a $1 billion donation.
In most cases, students need to complete theĀ Free Application for Federal Student AidĀ (FAFSA) to qualify for free tuition and fees and, in some cases, the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile.
Students who may be undocumented, qualify under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), or qualify under the DREAM Act may not be eligible for the FAFSA. Instead, some states offer state financial aid applications to help these students with college financial aid.
Here are some of the schools working to make college free for qualified students.
Colleges and Universities Offering Tuition-Free Degrees
Arkansas
Arkansas State University
- Who qualifies:
In-state Pell Grant-eligible students from families making $70,000 or less per year and have a minimum high school 3.00 GPA, AND:
Have a minimum 19 American College Test (ACT) or 990-1010 Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) score. - Need to know:
The A-State Promise Plus covers tuition and fees for up to 15 credit hours per semester. First-year students will also receive a $2,500 housing scholarship towards living on campus.
California
Stanford University
- Who qualifies:
Undergraduate students from families making under $150,000 per year - Need to know:
Stanford will cover tuition, fees, and room and board costs for students from families making under $100,000 per year.Stanford will provide enough scholarship aid to cover tuition atĀ minimumĀ for students from families making between $100,000 and $150,000.
University of California system
- Who qualifies:
In-state students from families making under $80,000 per year - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan covering tuition and fees. Students with greater financial need can qualify for more support.
Colorado
Colorado State University Pueblo
- Who qualifies:
In-state first-time or transfer students from families making $70,000 or less per year - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the scholarship and must maintain a 3.0 or higher GPA to remain eligible.
University of Colorado Boulder
- Programs:
- CU Promise Program
- Lattice Scholars Program
- Who qualifies:
In-state, Pell Grant-eligible students;
In-state, first-generation Pell Grant-eligible students majoring in engineering - Need to know:
The university’s CU Promise Program covers tuition and fees for all in-state students eligible for a Pell Grant. Eligible students are automatically considered for the program. Students can also qualify for an additional $5,000 grant if they have an expected family contribution of $0 determined by the FAFSA.The university’s Lattice Scholars Program covers the entirety of in-state, first-generation students’ education if they major in engineering. Students can also qualify for an additional $5,000 grant if they have an expected family contribution of $0 determined by the FAFSA.
University of Northern Colorado
- Who qualifies:
In-state current and new students from families making $65,000 or less per year - Need to know:
Beginning Fall 2024, the UNC Tuition Promise will cover tuition for at least 12 credit hours and up to 16 credit hours or a maximum of $5,836 per semester. Students must apply for and receive theĀ College Opportunity FundĀ and file the FAFSA orĀ Colorado Application for State Financial AidĀ on time.
Connecticut
Yale University
- Who qualifies:
Students from families making less than $75,000 per year - Need to know:
Eligible students’ families are not expected to make financial contributions toward their education. Yale’s financial aid includes all students regardless of U.S. citizenship, including students without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status.
Delaware
Delaware State University
- Who qualifies:
Students who graduated from a Delaware high school with at least a 2.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the Inspire Scholarship covering tuition. Students must maintain at least a 2.75 GPA once enrolled, must be full time, and complete 10 hours of community service each semester.
Florida
Florida State University Panama City
- Who qualifies:
In-state students fromĀ predetermined northwest Florida countiesĀ and from families making $60,000 or less per year - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the FSU PC Promise Scholarship covering tuition and fees. Students must maintain at least a 2.0 GPA and complete 30 hours of community service per semester.
Hawaii
Hawai’i Pacific University
- Who qualifies:
Hawai’i residents — first-time, full-time, first-year, and transfer students — from families with a federal expected family contribution lower than the university’s tuition - Need to know:
The Holomua Commitment pilot program covers tuition for eligible students.
Illinois
The University of Chicago
- Who qualifies:
Students from families earning less than $125,000 per year; students from families earning less than $60,000 per year - Need to know:
Eligible students from families making less than $125,000 per year will receive a scholarship covering tuition.
Eligible students from families making less than $60,000 will have tuition, fees, and room and board fully covered.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Who qualifies:
In-state students under 24 years old who graduated from an Illinois high school and who are from from in-state families earning $67,100 or less per year - Need to know:
The university’s Illinois Commitment covers tuition and fees for up to four years for eligible first-year and transfer students who graduated from an Illinois high school.
Indiana
Grace College
- Who qualifies:
In-state students with a 3.0 GPA making $60,000 or less per year - Need to know:
A student must be accepted and have full tuition awarded by March 1 to qualify for the Indiana Full Tuition Plan.
Kansas
Barclay College
- Who qualifies:
Students who live in on-campus dorms - Need to know:
Barclay provides free tuition to all students who live in campus dorms.
Kentucky
Alice Lloyd College
- Who qualifies:
Students from ALC’s service area spanning Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia - Need to know:
The Appalachian Leader’s Scholarship covers the cost of tuition for all students from the college’s 108-county service area for up to 10 semesters. Full-time students must work 10 hours per week and 160 hours per semester at an on- or off-campus job.
Berea College
- Who qualifies:
All students - Need to know:
Berea College students pay no tuition to attend.
Maine
Colby College
- Who qualifies:
Students from families making $75,000 or less;
Students from families making $150,000 or less - Need to know:
Through the Colby Commitment, Colby College promises to cover 100% of financial need for students from families making $75,000 or less.
The college promises a student’s family will pay no more than $15,000 if a student is from a family making $150,000 or less.
Maryland
University of Maryland
- Who qualifies:
In-state, Pell Grant-eligible students - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the Terrapin Commitment Program if they complete the FAFSA. The university will cover all remaining tuition and fees after all scholarships, grants, and expected family contributions have been exhausted.
Massachusetts
Harvard College
- Who qualifies:
Students from families who make under $85,000 per year - Need to know:
Harvard College, the undergraduate college of Harvard University, will cover the entire cost of attendance for any student from a family making under $85,000.For students from families making between $85,000 and $150,000, the expected contribution is between zero and 10% of your family’s annual income.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Who qualifies:
Most students from families making under $140,000 per year - Need to know:
The institute ensures tuition-free scholarship for most students from families making under $140,000 per year.
Sattler College
- Who qualifies:
Any student - Need to know:
The FAFSA is not required to qualify. Students must sign an Entrustment Commitment saying students can give what they can after becoming an alum, however students are not required to give to the college. Students must maintain a minimum 2.5GPA.
Michigan
Hope College
- Who qualifies:
Any student - Need to know:
Students who participate in the Hope Forward program commit to participating in the Hope Forward cohort and commit to monetarily contributing to the Hope Forward program after graduation to support future students.
Michigan State University
- Who qualifies:
In-state, first-year, and first-time dependent students who are eligible for the maximum Pell Grant and from families below the federal poverty guidelines - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the Spartan Advantage Program, which covers tuition and fees, food and housing, and estimated cost of books and course materials. Work-study is a part of the program.
University of MichiganĀ system
- Who qualifies:
Ann Arbor: In-state students from families making $75,000 or less per year
Dearborn: In-state first-time and transfer students with an incoming 3.5 GPA from families making $65,000 or less per year and assets below $50,000
Flint: In-state first-time and transfer students with an incoming 3.5 GPA from families making $65,000 or less per year and assets below $50,000 - Need to know:
The University of Michigan system offers the Go Blue Guarantee providing free tuition for qualifying students. Each campus has specific qualifications for eligibility.
Minnesota
Concordia College
- Who qualifies:
First-year or transfer students from families making under $90,000 per year qualifying for the FAFSA - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the Concordia Promise starting in Fall 2024.
University of Minnesota
- Who qualifies:
In-state first-year students from families making $50,000 or less per year - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the Promise Plus Free Tuition Program.
Missouri
College of the Ozarks
- Who qualifies:
All students - Need to know:
The college offers the Tuition Assurance Scholarship for all students who are employed in on-campus jobs 15 hours per week and two 40-hour workweeks per school year.
University of Missouri
- Who qualifies:
In-state Pell Grant-eligible first-year and transfer students - Need to know:
The state’s only land-grant university offers the Missouri Land Grant to all in-state Pell Grant-eligible students to cover tuition and fees.
Washington University in St. Louis
- Who qualifies:
First-year, first-time students who reside or attend high school/home school in Missouri or one of 53 predetermined counties in Illinois and from families making $75,000 or less per year - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the WashU Pledge for a free undergraduate education and can receive a first-year start-up grant. Students can either be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA recipients, or undocumented.
Montana
University of Montana
- Who qualifies:
In-state, qualifying traditional first-time, first-year students from families making $50,000 or less per year - Need to know:
The Grizzly Promise covers tuition and fees for eligible students.
Nebraska
University of Nebraska system
- Who qualifies:
In-state students from families making $65,000 or less per year or are Pell Grant-eligible - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the Nebraska Promise covering tuition at any campus. Students must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA at the university.
Nevada
Nevada State University
- Who qualifies:
All in-state students - Need to know:
In-state students do not have to pay tuition at the university, but they still pay fees.
University of Nevada, Reno
- Who qualifies:
In-state, full-time, Pell Grant-eligible students pursuing one bachelor’s degree - Need to know:
The Nevada Guarantee covers the cost of tuition, fees, and books for eligible students.
New Hampshire
Dartmouth College
- Who qualifies:
Students from families making $125,000 or less per year; students from families making under $65,000 per year - Need to know:
Dartmouth College provides free tuition for all students from families making $125,000 or less per year.
The college does not expect families to contribute to their student’s education if their income is below $65,000.
University of New Hampshire
- Who qualifies:
Pell Grant-eligible students who are in-state and first-year students or Community College System of New Hampshire transfers - Need to know:
Students must be full-time, complete the FAFSA each year, and remain financially eligible for up to four years to qualify for the Granite Guarantee.
New Jersey
Four-year public New Jersey universities
- Who qualifies:
In-state and NJ Dream Act students from families making between $0 and $65,000 per year - Need to know:
The Garden State Guarantee (GSG) provides college juniors and seniors with free tuition and fees for up to four semesters. Students need to either submit the FAFSA orĀ NJ Alternative Application.
The GSG is available to NJ Dreamers, undocumented students who meet criteria to qualify for in-state tuition rates.
Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Who qualifies:
Students who receive the maximum Pell Grant, maximum New Jersey Tuition Assistance Grant, and have a $0 expected family contribution - Need to know:
The FDU Advantage Program provides full-tuition coverage for eligible students.
Princeton University
- Who qualifies:
Students from families making under $100,000 per year - Need to know:
Eligible students will pay nothing to attend the university.The university said it will provide additional aid to families making up to $150,000, including those with multiple children in college.
New Mexico
All public colleges and universities
- Who qualifies:
New Mexico residents enrolling in a state public college or university. - Need to know:
All eligible students can receive free tuition through the Opportunity Scholarship. You must maintain a 2.5 GPA while attending and take at least six credit hours but no more than 18.The Lottery Scholarship is a similar scholarship for students who want to enroll full time at a public college or university the semester after high school graduation or certificate completion.
New York
Columbia University
- Who qualifies:
Students from families making less than $150,000 per year - Need to know:
All eligible students will receive free tuition and a $2,000 start-up grant to ease students’ transition into college.
Webb Institute
- Who qualifies:
U.S. citizens or permanent residents - Need to know:
All eligible students receive a tuition-free scholarship.
The State University of New York and City University of New York systems, statutory colleges at Cornell University and Alfred University
- Who qualifies:
In-state students from families making $125,000 or less per year who are a U.S. citizen or NYS Dreamer - Need to know:
The Excelsior Scholarship program covers eligible students’ tuition to a SUNY or CUNY. The scholarship is available to NYS Dreamers, undocumented students who can access New York state-administered grants and scholarships.
North Carolina
Duke University
- Who qualifies:
North Carolina and South Carolina students from families making $150,000 or less per year - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for free tuition and fees if they complete the FAFSA. Military families stationed in other states with legal residence in the Carolinas are eligible.Duke is offering additional assistance for housing, meals, course materials, and other campus expenses for students from families making $65,000 or less per year.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Who qualifies:
In-state undergraduate students working toward their first bachelor’s degree from families making under $80,000 per year - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the free tuition and mandatory fees commitment if they complete the FAFSA and CSS profile by the March 1 priority deadline. Students do not have to be full-time to be eligible.The universityĀ also offersĀ the Carolina Covenant Scholarship, a debt-free needs-based scholarship for students whose individual or total family income does not exceed 200% of federal poverty guidelines based on family size.
Warren Wilson College
- Programs:
- North Carolina Free Tuition Program
- Milepost One: A Full Tuition Scholarship
- Who qualifies:
In-state students qualifying for federal or state financial aid
Twenty-five full-time, first-year or transfer students with a total family income equal to or less than $150,000 - Need to know:
North Carolina Free Tuition Program students must live on campus and participate in the WWC work program.The Milepost One scholarship is available to up to 25 eligible students. They must live on campus and participate in the WWC work program.
Ohio
Antioch College
- Who qualifies:
Pell Grant-eligible students - Need to know:
Every Pell Grant-eligible student will receive the last dollar scholarship to cover tuition.
Case Western Reserve University
- Who qualifies:
Cleveland and East Cleveland public high school graduates - Need to know:
Starting in fall 2024, the university will pay the entire cost of attendance for students from a Cleveland Metropolitan School District school, district-partnerĀ charter school, or East Cleveland public school.
Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma
- Who qualifies:
Students who qualify forĀ Oklahoma’s Promise, apply to the university by Feb. 1 of their high school senior year, and come from a family making less than $100,000 per year - Need to know:
The university’s Crimson Commitment covers tuition and fees for eligible students. Students must first qualify for Oklahoma’s Promise in high school and be admitted directly from high school as a first-time, full-time, first-year student.
Oregon
Portland State University
- Who qualifies:
In-state, Pell Grant-eligible, part- or full-time first-years, transfer students, or re-enrolling undergraduate students - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the Tuition-Free Degree program covering tuition and most fees.
University of Oregon
- Who qualifies:
In-state, Pell Grant-eligible, first-time college students who graduated from an Oregon high school in the last two years with at least a 3.40 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the PathwayOregon program for free tuition and fees.
Western Oregon University
- Who qualifies:
In-state, Pell Grant-eligible, first-year college students who graduated from an Oregon high school in the last two years with at least a 3.0 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for free tuition and fees.
Pennsylvania
Allegheny College
- Who qualifies:
Students from families making $50,000 or less per year - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for free tuition and fees if they complete the FAFSA by Feb. 15. Returning students need to submit the FAFSA by May 1 each year to determine eligibility.The program is open to current, first-year, and transfer students starting this school year.
Curtis Institute of Music
- Who qualifies:
All students - Need to know:
The college offers the full-tuition scholarships to all students, regardless of filling out a financial aid application.
Geneva College
- Who qualifies:
In-state, first-year students from families making under $70,000 per year and eligible to receive any amount of Pell Grant funding - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for free tuition under the Geneva Tuition Promise if they submit their application for admission by March 1. Students will have to renew eligibility each year for up to eight semesters.
The University of Pennsylvania
- Who qualifies:
Students from families making $75,000 or less per year - Need to know:
The university will fully cover tuition, fees, housing, and dining for eligible students and provide: A free laptop, stipends to cover food during Thanksgiving and winter break while dining halls are closed, summer internship and research opportunity funding, grant funding to cover the university health insurance plan, free academic regalia as seniors, and grant funding to cover tuition for summer courses.
Williamson College of the Trades
- Who qualifies:
All students - Need to know:The all-male school offers a needs-based tuition and room and board scholarship to all students.
Rhode Island
Brown University
- Who qualifies:
Students from families making $125,000 or less per year - Need to know:
Eligible students can receive Brown’s Full Tuition Scholarship.
Tennessee
The University of Memphis
- Who qualifies:
In-state high school seniors going to the university directly after graduation who qualify for theĀ Hope ScholarshipĀ and Pell Grant - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the Memphis Promise to cover the cost of tuition.
The University of Tennessee system
- Who qualifies:
In-state students from families making under $75,000 per year starting fall 2024 (from $60,000) - Need to know:
The UT Promise will cover tuition and fees for eligible students and give qualifying students a minimum $500 award per semester.
Vanderbilt University
- Who qualifies:
Metro Nashville Public Schools’ Pell Grant-eligible students or students from families making $100,000 or less - Need to know:
The Nashville Vanderbilt Scholars program will cover all direct costs, including housing and meals, and grant a one-time $6,000 stipend to cover summer internship costs. Qualifying students must enroll in the university through Early Decision I or II, a binding acceptance to the university.
Texas
The Austin Community College District
- Who qualifies:
High school seniors and GED completers in the community college district service area graduating after July 1, 2023 - Need to know:
Beginning this fall, students from 27 school districts can receive up to five years of free tuition for associate and bachelor’s degrees, regardless of GPA or family income.
Texas A&M University
- Who qualifies:
In-state students from families making $60,000 or less per year - Need to know:
The Aggie Assurance covers eligible students’ tuition.
University of Houston
- Who qualifies:
In-state, first-time, first-year students from families making $65,000 or less per year - Need to know:
The Cougar Promise covers all tuition and fees for eligible students.
University of Texas at Austin
- Who qualifies:
In-state students from families making $65,000 or less per year - Need to know:
The Texas Advance Commitment will cover the entirety of tuition for students from families making up to $65,000 per year and will partially cover tuition for students from families making up to $125,000 per year.
Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA and complete 67% of courses attempted for renewal eligibility.
Utah
Utah State University
- Who qualifies:
In-state, first-time, first-year students eligible for the Pell Grant who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens - Need to know:
Eligible students are automatically considered for the Utah State Promise Scholarship if they apply to the university and complete the FAFSA by the priority deadline.
Weber State University
- Who qualifies:
In-state, undergraduate, Pell Grant-eligible students — who have less than 150 credit hours — from families making $50,000 or less per year - Need to know:
The Dream Weber program covers eligible students’ tuition and fees.
Westminster University
- Who qualifies:
In-state Utah high school graduates with a 3.3 GPA and come from a family making less than $60,000 per year - Need to know:
The Westminster Commitment covers tuition for eligible students. Students must submit their admissions application by Feb. 1 and be a first-time, full-time undergraduate student.
Vermont
The University of Vermont
- Who qualifies:
In-state first-year or transfer students who are dependents in families making $60,000 or less - Need to know:
The UVM Promise covers tuition for eligible students. Students must submit the FAFSA by the university’s priority financial aid deadline and apply for theĀ Vermont State GrantĀ each year.
Virginia
Norfolk State University
- Who qualifies:
In-state, Pell Grant-eligible, first-year students living within 45 miles of campus - Need to know:
The Virginia College Affordability Network Scholarship covers tuition for eligible students.
The Apprentice School
- Who qualifies:
All students - Need to know:
According to the school, it offers four-, five-, and eight-year apprenticeships in 19 shipbuilding disciplines and eight advanced programs of study. Students are offered tuition reimbursement, pay, and other benefits during enrollment.
University of Richmond
- Who qualifies:
In-state, first-time, first-year students from families making $60,000 or less per year who are domiciliary Virginia residents - Need to know:
Richmond’s Promise to Virginia provides eligible students with free tuition, housing, and the Spider Unlimited meal plan.
University of Virginia
- Who qualifies:
In-state tuition-eligible, first-time, undergraduate students from families making under $80,000 who have assets less than $75,000 - Need to know:
The AccessUVA program covers tuition and fees for eligible students.
Virginia State University
- Who qualifies:
In-state, Pell Grant-eligible, first-year students living within a 25-mile radius of campus with a 2.5 high school GPA - Need to know:
The Virginia College Affordability Network Scholarship covers tuition for eligible students.
William & Mary
- Who qualifies:
In-state undergraduate Pell Grant-eligible students - Need to know:
The tuition program applies to new, returning, first-year, and transfer students. Eligible students are automatically considered if they complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile.The school also offers needs-based scholarships to out-of-state students.
Washington
Gonzaga University
- Who qualifies:
In-state Pell Grant-eligible or first-year students who submit a FAFSA or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) - Need to know:
The Gonzaga Access Pledge (GAP) covers tuition and is also available for undocumented Washington residents who submit the WASFA. Undocumented Washington students may be eligible for the GAP even if they do not receive a Pell Grant.
Seattle University
- Who qualifies:
Students enrolled at a Seattle College as aĀ Seattle PromiseĀ student and enrolled in the
Washington State College Bound Scholarship Program - Need to know:The Seattle University Promise Scholarship provides transfer students from Seattle Colleges with free tuition. Students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher
University of Washington system
- Who qualifies:
In-state, Pell Grant-eligible, or first-time students who submit a FAFSA or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) - Need to know:
The Husky Promise covers tuition and fees and is also available for undocumented Washington residents who submit the WASFA. Undocumented Washington students may be eligible for the Husky Promise even if they do not receive a Pell Grant.
Washington State University
- Who qualifies:
In-state, first-time students who receive the Pell Grant or Washington College Grant and who submit a FAFSA or Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) by the priority deadline each year - Need to know:
The Cougar Commitment covers tuition and fees and is also available for undocumented Washington residents who submit the WASFA. Undocumented Washington students may be eligible even if they do not receive a Pell Grant.
West Virginia
Bluefield State University
- Who qualifies:
In-state, full Pell Grant- and WV Higher Ed Grant-eligible students who submit the FAFSA by April 15 and maintain a 2.0 GPA inĀ specific programs - Need to know:
Eligible students can use the Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan to cover the cost of tuition.
Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin system (except UW-Madison)
- Who qualifies:
In-state students from families making less than $62,000 per year - Need to know:
The Wisconsin Tuition Promise covers up to four years of tuition and provides funding for fees for eligible undergraduate students.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Who qualifies:
In-state first-year or transfer students from families making $65,000 or less per year - Need to know:
The Bucky’s Tuition Promise covers tuition and segregated fees for eligible students. Students need to submit the FAFSA by the Dec. 1 priority deadline.