2027-28 FAFSA Now Open, Experts Urge Students to File Early for Maximum Aid
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the 2027-28 academic year opened on October 1, 2026, at StudentAid.gov. Financial aid experts are urging students to file as early as possible because many state and college programs award aid on a first-come, first-served basis. The application uses 2025 tax data and has been simplified under the FAFSA Simplification Act.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the 2027-28 academic year opened on October 1, 2026, and financial aid experts are urging students and families to file as soon as possible to maximize their chances of receiving grants and scholarships.
The application is available at StudentAid.gov. While the federal deadline is June 30, 2028, many state and institutional aid programs operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority deadlines falling as early as late 2026 or early 2027. Marquette University, for example, has set a priority deadline of February 1, 2027.
The 2027-28 FAFSA uses 2025 federal tax information. The application process has been streamlined through a direct data transfer from the IRS, which reduces the amount of manual entry required. Students and at least one parent must each have a StudentAid.gov account and FSA ID to sign the application, and experts recommend setting up these accounts in advance because the verification process can take several days.
Under the FAFSA Simplification Act, the form has been shortened and certain assets, including small family businesses and family farms, are now excluded from the student aid index calculation. These changes are designed to make the process less burdensome and to extend aid eligibility to more families.
Financial aid offices recommend that students list all colleges they are considering on their FAFSA so each institution receives the necessary financial data. Students who make errors on their application can log back into the portal to make corrections after submission.
Many colleges and universities offer FAFSA assistance workshops and "FAFSA Days" to help families navigate the process. Local libraries and community organizations also frequently provide free help with the application.
Families who believe they do not qualify for need-based aid are still encouraged to file, as many scholarships and state programs require a completed FAFSA to determine eligibility regardless of income.
