FAFSA for 2027-28 School Year Opens October 1, Experts Urge Early Filing
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the 2027-28 school year opened on October 1, 2026. Financial aid experts are urging students and families to file as early as possible, since some state and institutional aid programs distribute funds on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid for the 2027-28 school year opened on October 1, 2026. Financial aid experts are urging students and families to submit the form as soon as possible, warning that waiting can cost applicants access to limited grant and scholarship funds.
Some state aid programs and college scholarship funds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who file early are more likely to receive the maximum available aid before those funds run out. Experts say this is especially important for families in states with smaller aid budgets.
The FAFSA uses tax information from two years prior, so families filing for the 2027-28 year will use 2025 tax data. Students can link their FAFSA directly to IRS records to speed up the process and reduce errors.
The opening of the 2027-28 FAFSA comes as millions of borrowers are still adjusting to the end of the SAVE repayment plan, which was terminated by court order in March 2026. Borrowers who were enrolled in SAVE are being moved to other repayment plans, and some face higher monthly payments as a result.
Financial aid counselors say families should complete the FAFSA even if they think they will not qualify for need-based aid. Many merit scholarships and institutional grants require a completed FAFSA as part of the application process.
