Yes! If the deadline hasn’t passed, you should still apply. And there’s a good chance you’re not too late.
You have a full 18 months to submit the FAFSA®. For example, for the 2025-2026 academic year, the FAFSA® opened at the end of November 2024 (the Fall/Winter of the previous academic year), but the deadline is 18 months later, on June 30, 2026 (the end of the academic year).
Even if you wait until June 30, you can still get financial aid retroactively. Speak to your financial aid office to find out how this works for you. It might be credited to your following year’s costs or simply returned to you as cash (via check or bank transfer).