The 2027-28 FAFSA is open. What students and families need to know
The federal student aid application for the 2027-28 school year launched in September, the earliest start in the program's history. Here are the key dates and what to have ready.
If a student plans to attend college, career school, or graduate school between July 1, 2027 and June 30, 2028, the form that unlocks most financial aid is already available.
The U.S. Department of Education announced on September 23, 2026 that the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) had launched, calling it the earliest launch in the program’s history for the second year in a row.
Key dates
The official 2027-28 FAFSA form published by Federal Student Aid lists these federal dates:
- Earliest the form can be submitted: October 1, 2026, according to the printed form. The online form opened earlier, on September 23, 2026, according to the Department.
- Federal deadline: June 30, 2028.
Those federal dates are the outer limits. States and colleges often set much earlier deadlines for their own aid, and the form notes that some state and school aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applying early is the safest plan.
The form also lists state deadlines. For example, Florida’s deadline for the 2027-28 year is May 15, 2027, based on the date the application is processed. Check the form or your state’s higher education agency for your own state’s deadline, and check each college’s financial aid page for theirs.
Which tax year is used
The 2027-28 FAFSA asks for 2025 tax information. Families who have already filed their 2025 federal taxes are in a good position to start now.
Consent is required
The form explains that the student and every “contributor” (for example, a parent or a spouse whose information is required) must provide consent for the Department to access their federal tax information. If a required contributor does not provide consent, the student will not be eligible for federal student aid, so it is worth making sure everyone involved knows they have a part to play.
A simple checklist
Before you start, gather:
- The student’s Social Security number, if they have one.
- 2025 federal tax returns and W-2s for the student and any contributors.
- Records of current savings, checking, and investment balances, if required.
- A list of the colleges the student wants to receive the results.
- A StudentAid.gov account for the student and for each contributor.
Where to get help
Free help is available from your high school counselor, the financial aid office at the colleges you are considering, and Federal Student Aid at StudentAid.gov. You never need to pay to file the FAFSA.
Is your school hosting a FAFSA completion night? Tell us and we may feature it in your state’s newsletter.
How this story was made: This article was drafted with the help of AI tools using the public sources listed above, then reviewed, fact-checked, and approved by a human editor. Read our AI Use Policy.
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