FAFSA for 2027-28 School Year Opens Early in First-Ever September Launch

The Department of Education opened the FAFSA for the 2027-28 school year on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the earliest launch in the application's history, following years of delayed openings tied to a congressional overhaul of the federal financial aid process. Applicants must provide consent for the department to retrieve 2025 tax return data from the IRS to determine eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid. This year's changes include a shortened account-creation process and an immediate, editable summary of the submitted form. Aid distributed by colleges and states is often first-come, first-served, requiring early filing. Students must designate at least one school; first-year and transfer applicants may list up to 20. Forms disclosing graduate earnings below the average high school graduate's pay will be generated for listed institutions.