If someone in your home starts college in fall 2027, there’s one form you can —and should— file now: the FAFSA. It’s the free form that opens the door to federal grants, state aid, work-study, and loans to pay for college. And every year, thousands of families lose money not because they don’t qualify, but because they file late.
The form for the 2027-28 academic year (July 2027 to June 2028) opened October 1, 2026 at StudentAid.gov. Here’s what you need to know to file it right and on time.
Use your 2025 tax return
The 2027-28 FAFSA uses tax information from 2025 — two years back. Don’t wait to file your 2026 taxes: the form is designed to work with your 2025 return. If you gave your consent, the Department of Education pulls that data directly from the IRS, so you don’t even need to have the return handy.
The federal deadline is not the one that should worry you
The federal deadline for the 2027-28 FAFSA is June 30, 2028 — sounds far away. But that’s the trap: your state’s and each college’s deadlines are much earlier, and several aid programs are awarded first-come, first-served, until funds run out. Filing in October puts you at the front of the line; filing in spring leaves you with what’s left.
The FSA ID: create it BEFORE you sit down to fill out the form
Everyone who provides information on the FAFSA —the student and each contributing parent or spouse— needs their own StudentAid.gov account (the FSA ID). Creating the account takes less than 10 minutes, but identity verification with the Social Security Administration can take 1 to 3 business days to clear. If you sit down to fill out the form the same day you create the account, you can get stuck halfway through.
Create the accounts for all contributors this same week, with the names exactly as they appear on the Social Security card.
What’s new this cycle
This year’s form brings a redesigned flow for inviting contributors: you can now invite your parents or spouse by text message or email, making it easier for everyone to complete their part. Plus, returning students will find pre-filled data, so renewal is faster than the first time.
All contributors must give their consent
One point that stalls many applications: everyone who provides information —student, parent, or spouse— must give their consent for the Department of Education to pull their tax data from the IRS, and sign their section. If a contributor doesn’t give that consent or doesn’t sign, the student doesn’t qualify for federal aid, even if everything else is fine. That’s why it’s key to invite each contributor on time and confirm they completed their part.
What to do today, in order
- Create today the StudentAid.gov accounts (FSA ID) of the student and each contributor, with the exact names on the Social Security card.
- Look up the deadlines for your state and the colleges you’re applying to — write them down, because they come before the federal one.
- Fill out the 2027-28 FAFSA at StudentAid.gov with your 2025 tax information (the system can pull it from the IRS with your consent).
- Invite each contributor to complete and sign their section; the form isn’t complete until everyone signs.
- Save your submission summary and check your email (including spam) in case the Department of Education or your college asks for anything more.
This content is informational and is not tax or legal advice. For your particular case, consult official sources or an authorized professional.
Comentarios