The FAFSA 2027–28 is now available for students seeking aid for the July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028 award year. The U.S. Department of Education announced its public launch on September 23, 2026. Apply through StudentAid.gov, use the correct award year, and check your college and state deadlines before treating the federal deadline as your target.
Official sources checked: October 2, 2026. This is an independent application guide.
The FAFSA is an application for financial aid, rather than a scholarship award by itself. It helps eligible applicants seek grants, work-study and federal loans. Completing it is one part of paying for college; an admission application and a separate scholarship application can still have their own requirements.
FAFSA 2027–28: the dates and tax year to know
| Item | Current-cycle detail |
|---|---|
| Public online launch | September 23, 2026 |
| Award year covered | July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028 |
| Federal application deadline | June 30, 2028 |
| Income tax information | 2025 |
| State and college deadlines | May be earlier; check each relevant agency and college |
| Application cost | Free on the official government website |
The launch date comes from the Department of Education’s September 23 announcement. The federal deadline is stated in the official 2027–28 FAFSA form. A college must also receive correct, complete information by your last day of enrollment in that award year.
What to check before starting your FAFSA
First, match the form to when you will attend. Fall 2027 applicants normally need the 2027–28 form. Students seeking aid for the current 2026–27 award year need that year’s application. For a summer term that falls between cycles, ask your college which form it requires.
Then work through this short preparation list:
- Account access: confirm that you can sign in to your StudentAid.gov account. Each required contributor needs a separate account.
- Contributor coordination: tell the parent or spouse identified by the application that you will need their participation. Do not share account passwords.
- Financial records: keep relevant tax and asset information accessible, and answer the questions the form actually asks.
- College list: identify the institutions you want to receive your results. The online form allows up to 20 schools.
- Deadline list: record each college’s priority aid date and any state application requirements alongside your admission deadlines.
Federal Student Aid’s official FAFSA checklist explains these preparation items. For a broader way to organize your admissions tasks, use our college application checklist.
A practical checklist before you submit
- Confirm the award year. Read the year on the form before importing or entering information.
- Read the financial prompts carefully. The 2027–28 application uses 2025 tax information. Follow its instructions rather than substituting a newer tax year because it seems more current.
- Finish every required contributor section. Your own answers do not replace a required parent or spouse section.
- Check consent and signatures. Required contributors must provide consent and approval for the tax-information transfer. This requirement also applies when someone did not file a tax return.
- Review your school selections. Check institution names and locations so your results reach the intended schools.
- Save your confirmation. Keep the submission record with your deadline list and check the account for follow-up tasks.
The official FAFSA instructions explain the financial-information and contributor steps. An early submission is useful only if the application is complete and you respond to later requests.
What to do after submitting
Open your FAFSA Submission Summary when the form has been processed. Review the answers, listed schools and Next Steps section. Correct errors through the official account and respond to any requests from your financial aid office.
The summary contains estimates of possible aid. It is not the same as a college’s final financial aid offer, and the Student Aid Index is not your bill. Federal Student Aid’s Submission Summary guide explains the distinction.
If your family’s circumstances have changed substantially since 2025, follow the form’s instructions and then contact the college about a review. Keep a brief, factual explanation and the supporting documents the college requests.
Check whether another aid form is required
Some colleges also use the CSS Profile for their own institutional aid. Submitting the FAFSA does not automatically complete that application. Our CSS Profile 2027–28 guide covers its separate fees, school deadlines and document steps.
Keep independent award deadlines on a separate list as well. Graduate applicants considering overseas or Stanford funding can check our October 2026 scholarship deadline briefing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the FAFSA 2027–28 open now?
Yes. The Department of Education announced the public online launch on September 23, 2026. Select the 2027–28 form for aid covering that award year.
Which tax year does the 2027–28 FAFSA use?
It asks for 2025 tax information. Follow the prompts for your circumstances and do not replace that tax year with a different one.
Can I wait until June 30, 2028?
That is the federal application deadline. State and college deadlines can be earlier, and some funding is limited. Plan around your earliest relevant aid deadline.
Does the FAFSA guarantee a grant or scholarship?
No. The application helps determine aid eligibility. Your college makes its aid offer, and separate scholarship programs make their own award decisions.
Official resources and application link
Start or access the FAFSA on StudentAid.gov. Use the official instructions linked above for your individual circumstances. Excelsior Scholarships does not collect FAFSA submissions or represent the Department of Education.