Quick answer: The 2027-28 FAFSA is expected to open by October 1, 2026 at studentaid.gov, and the federal deadline to submit it is June 30, 2028. But state and college deadlines come much earlier (some as soon as November or December 2026), and aid is often first-come, first-served, so create your StudentAid.gov account now and file as soon as the form opens.
Key Takeaways
- The 2027-28 FAFSA is expected to open by October 1, 2026 at studentaid.gov; check the site for the exact launch date
- Federal deadline is June 30, 2028, but many states and colleges set deadlines in late 2026 or early 2027 and award aid first-come, first-served
- Every contributor (student, parents, spouse) needs their own StudentAid.gov account and must give consent for IRS data transfer
- Filing takes 30-60 minutes if documents are ready; most income data imports automatically from the IRS
- You do not need to be admitted to a college to file; list up to 20 schools
What is the FAFSA and who should file it?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid is the single form that determines eligibility for federal Pell Grants, federal student loans, work-study, and most state and college need-based aid. Every student planning to attend college or career school in the 2027-28 academic year should file it, even families who assume they earn too much. Many colleges use FAFSA data for merit scholarships and institutional grants, some states require it for state programs, and federal Direct Loans are available regardless of income. Filing is free; any site that charges a fee is not the official form.
When does the 2027-28 FAFSA open and when is it due?
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Form expected to open | By October 1, 2026 (confirm at studentaid.gov) |
| Priority deadlines at many colleges | November 2026 to March 2027, varies by school |
| State deadlines | Vary widely; some are “as soon as possible after October 1” |
| Federal deadline | June 30, 2028 (11:59 p.m. Central) |
| Corrections deadline | September 2028 (check exact date on studentaid.gov) |
Under the FAFSA Simplification Act the form is supposed to be available by October 1 each year; the 2026-27 form launched a few days early, so watch for an announcement in late September. Because state and institutional funds can run out, filing in the first weeks after launch is the safest strategy.
What to prepare before you start
- A StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) for the student and for each contributor. Creating one takes a few days to verify with the Social Security Administration, so do this now.
- Social Security numbers for the student and contributors (or the “I do not have an SSN” option for parents without one).
- Federal income tax information from 2025 (the “prior-prior year”). In most cases the IRS transfers this automatically once each contributor gives consent.
- Records of untaxed income, current bank balances, and investment values (not retirement accounts or the home you live in).
- A list of up to 20 colleges you might apply to, with their federal school codes.
Who is a “contributor”?
A contributor is anyone required to provide information on the student’s form: the student, the student’s spouse if married, and for dependent students one or both parents. The form tells you which parent to include based on where the student lived most and, for divorced parents, who provided more financial support. Each contributor logs in with their own account, provides consent for the IRS data exchange, and signs. The form is not complete until every contributor has signed, and a missing signature is the most common reason applications sit unprocessed.
How to file the FAFSA step by step
- Sign in at studentaid.gov and select “Start New Form” for the 2027-28 year.
- Answer the student questions: identity, citizenship status, school plans, and dependency status.
- Invite contributors by entering their name, date of birth, SSN, and email; they receive an email to log in and complete their section.
- Each contributor provides consent to transfer federal tax information from the IRS. This is required even if you did not file taxes.
- Report assets and any income not on the tax return.
- Add colleges (up to 20). Order does not matter for federal aid; some states use the first school listed for state grants.
- Review, sign, and submit. Save the confirmation page.
You will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary within a few days showing your Student Aid Index (SAI), the number colleges use to calculate need. Schools then send financial aid offers, usually in the spring.
Common mistakes that delay aid
- Starting the form before every contributor has a verified StudentAid.gov account.
- A contributor not providing IRS consent, which makes the student ineligible for federal aid.
- Entering the wrong parent, or leaving out a stepparent who lives in the household.
- Reporting retirement accounts or your primary home as assets.
- Missing a school’s priority deadline because you waited for the federal deadline.
- Not checking email; requests for verification documents go to the addresses on the form.
What if your finances changed since 2025?
The FAFSA uses 2025 tax data for 2027-28. If a parent lost a job, income dropped, or a large medical bill hit, file the FAFSA as usual and then contact each college’s financial aid office to request a professional judgment review with documentation. Aid administrators can adjust the SAI based on current circumstances.
FAQ
Do I have to file a new FAFSA every year? Yes. Aid is awarded per academic year and information rolls over to make renewal faster.
Is there an income cutoff? No. Federal loans are available at all incomes and many merit programs require a FAFSA on file.
Can I file before I am admitted anywhere? Yes. List schools you are considering; you can add or change them later.
What if my parents are undocumented? They can still be contributors; the form has a path for people without an SSN and their information is used only for aid.
Where can I get free help? Your high school counselor, the college’s financial aid office, and the Federal Student Aid Information Center (1-800-433-3243) all provide free assistance.
Sources
- Federal Student Aid: FAFSA form
- Federal Student Aid: FAFSA deadlines
- Federal Student Aid: Create an account
Last updated: August 17, 2026. Written by the InfoBrief Editorial team. We link to official sources and update articles when facts change. See our disclosure.