The 2027-28 FAFSA Is Open Early: What Parents Need to Know

By Janice Robinson-Celeste

Here is a rare piece of good college news: the 2027-28 FAFSA opened earlier than ever this fall, and the U.S. Department of Education says the form takes about 15 minutes on average. If you have a high school senior, or a college student coming back next year, filing now gives you the best shot at grants and scholarships that run out.

Key Takeaways

• The 2027-28 FAFSA is open now, its earliest launch ever.
• The federal deadline is June 30, 2028, but state and college deadlines come much sooner.
• Parents can now be invited as contributors by text or email.
• Some state and school aid is first come, first served, so filing early matters.

Why Filing Early Matters

The FAFSA decides eligibility for Pell Grants, work-study and federal student loans, and many states and colleges use it to award their own money. The official federal deadline is 11:59 p.m. Central time on June 30, 2028, but some state aid is limited and goes to early filers, and many colleges set priority dates in the winter.

Every dollar in grants is a dollar your child does not borrow. If you are worried about loans, our piece on college debt after graduation is a good read.

What Is New on the 2027-28 FAFSA

• Earliest launch ever. The form opened before the October 1 date the law requires.
• About 15 minutes. Officials say the average time to complete it has dropped.
• Easier contributor invites. Students can invite a parent or spouse by text or email.
• Outcomes data. Applicants can see potential earnings outcomes for schools they are considering.

What to Gather Before You Start

1. A StudentAid.gov account for your student and one for each parent contributor.
2. Your 2025 federal tax return information.
3. Records of savings, checking and investment balances.
4. The list of colleges your child is applying to, including any HBCUs on their list.

Sit down together. Let your teen drive the keyboard while you handle the parent section, so they learn the process they will repeat every year.

After You Submit the 2027-28 FAFSA

Watch for the FAFSA Submission Summary, check it for mistakes, and make any corrections by the federal correction deadline of September 12, 2028. Then compare each college’s aid offer side by side. Share this with a parent of a senior so they do not miss early money.

Your 2027-28 FAFSA Checklist for This Week

• Create or confirm StudentAid.gov accounts for your student and for each parent who will add information to the form.
• Gather your 2025 federal tax return, since the 2027-28 form looks back at that year’s income.
• List every college your teen is considering so each school receives the results.
• Check each college’s and your state’s priority dates, which can come well before the federal deadline.
• Ask your teen’s school counselor about local scholarships that open around the same time.

Then map out the rest of the plan with our guide on how to fund your child’s college dreams, and read how to send your teen to college without losing connection as the big day gets closer.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the 2027-28 FAFSA deadline?

The federal deadline is June 30, 2028, at 11:59 p.m. Central time. State and college deadlines are often months earlier.

How long does the FAFSA take?

The Education Department says it takes about 15 minutes on average.

Do parents need their own account?

Yes. Each parent contributor needs a StudentAid.gov account to sign and add their information.

Photos and some content may be AI generated.