FAFSA 2027–28 application guidance

The 2027–28 FAFSA is used to request federal aid for study between July 1, 2027, and June 30, 2028. The form has been available since October 1, 2026, and asks for 2025 tax information. That difference between tax year and academic year often causes mistakes: before starting, confirm that you selected the correct cycle and have the 2025 Form 1040 available.

The student needs a StudentAid.gov account, and each person invited as a contributor—such as a parent or spouse when required—needs a separate account. A parent or spouse can create an account and complete their section without a Social Security number; Federal Student Aid provides specific instructions for these cases. Profile details must match the contributor’s account exactly to prevent invitation errors.

Consent from each contributor to transfer IRS tax information is a central part of the process. Even if someone enters figures manually, refusing consent can make the student ineligible for federal aid. The application is not complete when only the student finishes: every required contributor must complete their section, provide consent, and sign.

After submission, the FAFSA Submission Summary shows an estimated Student Aid Index and potential aid; it is not a final offer. The college sends its own notice after admitting the student and reviewing the file. Keep the confirmation, respond promptly to document requests, and compare each campus’s full cost. For summer classes, ask the financial-aid office which FAFSA cycle applies.

Official program information and application