FAFSA 2027-28 Is Open: Sept. 23 Launch, June 30, 2028 Federal Deadline and State Dates

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2027-28 opened to all students on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, the earliest release in the program’s history, according to Fox 5 New York on Sept. 24, 2026. The official pages on StudentAid.gov and ed.gov were blocked to our automated checks, so every figure below is attributed to news reports. Confirm dates with the Department of Education and each college.

A free printable family checklist for this story puts the steps and the reported deadlines on one page.

Who is the 2027-28 FAFSA for?

The form is for students starting classes on or after July 1, 2027, The National News Desk reported on Sept. 24, 2026. It said the U.S. Department of Education announced the launch, with Under Secretary Nicholas Kent and Secretary Linda McMahon named in the report. The same report said the FAFSA Simplification Act requires the form to be available by Oct. 1, so the Sept. 23 opening came ahead of that date.

For comparison, secondary reports put the 2026-27 opening at Sept. 24, 2025.

What changed in the 2027-28 form?

The National News Desk listed these changes for 2027-28:

• Clearer language on the form.
• Easier renewal.
• Contributors, such as a parent, can be invited by text or email.
• Earnings outcomes shown for schools.
• Fraud detection.

What are the FAFSA dates and deadlines?

Date	What	Status
Wed., Sept. 23, 2026	2027-28 FAFSA opened to all students	Reported by Fox 5 New York and The National News Desk
Tue., March 2, 2027	California Cal Grant deadline	Reported by secondary sources
Texas	Priority date varies by source	Check with the college
Illinois	File as soon as possible; aid is first-come	Reported by secondary sources
Fri., June 30, 2028	Federal deadline, 11:59 p.m. Central Time	Reported by student-aid guides, not confirmed on an official page

Student-aid guides report that the 2027-28 form uses 2025 tax information. Confirm that on StudentAid.gov before you gather documents.

What should families do first?

1. Create or check your StudentAid.gov account.
2. Invite contributors by text or email, one of the changes The National News Desk listed for 2027-28.
3. List the colleges that should receive your FAFSA.
4. Check your state’s deadline and each college’s own aid date. Dates differ, and Texas sources conflict.

Mark the state date on the March 2027 printable calendar, or add the steps to a printable school calendar.

Where do tests and scores fit?

Test dates run on a separate track. Our SAT and ACT test dates for 2026-27 list registration deadlines, and the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) score release dates show when students see results.