Families preparing to pay for college can now complete the 2027-28 FAFSA, with the application available to students and parents seeking financial aid for the next academic year.
Families Can Now Fill Out the FAFSA
The form is used to determine eligibility for federal, state and college-based financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study programmes and student loans. Families should also check the individual deadlines set by their state and college, as these can come earlier than the federal deadline.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for the 2027-28 academic year. Students can complete the application through StudentAid.gov, while parents may also need to provide information depending on the student’s circumstances.
Filling out the FAFSA does not guarantee that a student will receive financial aid. Eligibility depends on factors such as the student’s circumstances and the requirements of the specific aid programme.
The Form Can Lead to Several Types of Financial Aid
Submitting the FAFSA puts students in consideration for several forms of assistance. This can include federal grants, scholarships, work-study assistance and student loans. States and colleges can also use information from the FAFSA when determining eligibility for their own financial aid programmes.
Some aid has limited funding, so families should check the deadlines attached to the programmes they are interested in rather than relying only on the federal deadline.
Parents May Need to Provide Financial Information
For dependent students, a parent or other required contributor may need to provide financial information as part of the application. Families should have the relevant personal and financial details available before beginning the form. The information required can vary according to the student’s circumstances.
Students who are already attending college also need to submit the FAFSA for each academic year in which they want to be considered for federal student aid.
The FAFSA Has Been Shortened
The Department of Education has made changes to the application process, including shorter forms and revised questions and instructions. Most families can complete the form in around 12 to 15 minutes, although the actual time can vary depending on the information required.
The application also gives students information about potential federal aid during the process.
The Federal Deadline Is Not the Only Deadline
For the 2027-28 FAFSA, the federal submission deadline is June 30, 2028, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time. Corrections and updates can be submitted until September 12, 2028, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.
Families should not wait for those dates if they are seeking state or college aid. Individual states and educational institutions can set their own deadlines, and some programmes have limited funding.
What Families Should Do Now
Students planning to attend college during the 2027-28 academic year can now create or use their StudentAid.gov account and begin the FAFSA application. Parents whose information is required should also be ready to complete their part of the form.
Submitting the FAFSA starts the financial aid process, giving families a clearer picture of the assistance they may be eligible to receive while they plan for college costs.
