FAFSA^® 2027-28: Your first step to applying for free money for college

Before starting the FAFSA^®, have your StudentAid.gov account, information for any required contributors, tax information, records of child support received and assets if required, and a list of schools you’re considering.

Each required contributor needs their own StudentAid.gov account and must complete their portion of the form.

Information from your FAFSA^® is used to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI). Your SAI is an index number—not the amount of aid you’ll receive or what your family is expected to pay.

Schools use your SAI along with factors such as cost of attendance and federal aid eligibility rules to determine the financial aid you may receive.

The 2027–28 FAFSA^® will be available to everyone by October 1, 2026. Check StudentAid.gov for the latest availability information.

Submit the FAFSA^® as soon as you can after it becomes available and before your earliest state or school financial aid deadline. Some types of financial aid may be limited, so applying earlier can help you meet priority deadlines.

The federal deadline for the 2027–28 FAFSA^® is June 30, 2028.

States and colleges may have much earlier deadlines, so check the requirements for each school and state where you’re applying.

The FAFSA^® itself is a free application, not financial aid that you have to repay.

Whether you repay financial aid depends on the type you receive. Grants and scholarships generally don’t need to be repaid, work-study is money you earn, and student loans must be repaid.

Completing the FAFSA^® is required to be considered for most federal student aid, including grants, work-study, and federal student loans. States and colleges may also use FAFSA® information when awarding their own financial aid.

Don’t skip the FAFSA^® because you assume your income is too high. There’s no single income cutoff that determines eligibility for all financial aid.

No. FAFSA^® eligibility isn’t based only on parent income. Depending on the student’s circumstances, the form may consider student and contributor income, assets, family size, and other information. The FAFSA^® uses this information to calculate the Student Aid Index (SAI), which schools use when determining financial aid eligibility.

Yes. You need to submit a FAFSA^® for each academic year you want to be considered for federal student aid.

Your financial circumstances, FAFSA^® information, and aid eligibility can change from year to year, so returning students should complete the form annually.

Start at StudentAid.gov. Create or sign in to your StudentAid.gov account, choose the correct FAFSA^® year, complete the student sections, and invite any required contributors.

Make sure each required contributor completes their section and provides the required information, consent, approval, and signature. Review everything carefully before submitting. The FAFSA^® is free to complete.