The 2027-28 FAFSA opens October 1, 2026. This is the form you need if you’ll attend college, trade school, or a certificate program anytime between July 1, 2027 and June 30, 2028.
You don’t have to wait until launch day to get ready. Here’s exactly what to do now.
Beta Filing Is Already Open
You may not need to wait until October 1 at all.
The Department of Education is running a Phase 2 beta test of the 2027-28 FAFSA right now, through September 2026.
Any student or parent can request access at StudentAid.gov/joinbeta. The Department admits participants in batches throughout the month.
This is not a practice run. Submissions made during beta count as your real, official 2027-28 FAFSA.
Colleges receive your actual Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) once you submit, even during beta.
If you’re invited and you complete the form, you have filed. There’s no need to file again in October.
Filing during beta also means your form reaches schools weeks before the general October rush.
To request access, log in to StudentAid.gov and select “Request Beta Access.” You’ll be notified by email if you’re selected.
Documents to Gather Before October 1
Whether you file during beta or wait for the public launch, the paperwork is the same. Get these ready now.
Your 2025 Federal Tax Return
The 2027-28 FAFSA uses income and tax information from your 2025 tax return, not 2026.
Most filers can transfer this data directly from the IRS. Having a copy on hand speeds things up if the transfer has any hiccups.
Social Security Numbers
You’ll need your own SSN, plus SSNs for any required contributors, such as a custodial parent or spouse.
StudentAid.gov Accounts
Every contributor listed on the form needs their own separate StudentAid.gov account.
This includes the student and any parent or spouse required to provide information. Sharing a login will stall your form at the signature step.
Create these accounts now. Verification can take a few days, which is irrelevant in August but costly in a last-minute October rush.
A List of Schools
The FAFSA lets you list up to 20 colleges or schools. Have your list ready, including exact school names, so you’re not searching mid-form.
Records of Untaxed Income and Assets
If applicable, gather records of child support received, untaxed retirement contributions, and current bank or investment balances.
State Deadline Warning
The federal FAFSA deadline for 2027-28 is June 30, 2028. That date is not the one that matters most.
State priority deadlines for financial aid start as early as January 15, 2027, just months after the form opens.
Many state grant programs award funds first-come, first-served. Once the money runs out, it’s gone, regardless of your eligibility.
College-specific priority deadlines often fall even earlier than state deadlines. Many private schools set dates in November or December.
Filing in the first few weeks after launch, or during beta, gives you the best shot at state and school aid.
There’s no real advantage to filing on October 1 versus October 10. But filing in March, when state money may be exhausted, can cost you real dollars.
Check your state’s higher education agency website and each target school’s financial aid page for their specific 2027-28 deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to refile if I did the beta?
No. A FAFSA submitted during Phase 2 beta testing is a complete, official 2027-28 filing.
Your ISIR is sent to the schools you listed, just as it would be after an October 1 submission. Refiling only creates duplicate records and potential confusion for financial aid offices.
What tax year does the 2027-28 FAFSA use?
The 2027-28 FAFSA uses 2025 federal tax return information. This is standard practice; FAFSA always uses tax data from two years prior to the aid year.
Who needs to file the 2027-28 FAFSA?
Anyone planning to attend college, university, or a career school between July 1, 2027 and June 30, 2028 should file this form.
This includes incoming high school seniors, current students renewing aid, and returning adult students.
Is October 1, 2026 a guaranteed date?
The Department of Education has stated the form will be available to all applicants no later than October 1, 2026.
Recent history supports the target: the 2026-27 FAFSA launched a week early, on September 24, 2025. Still, check StudentAid.gov for final confirmation as the date approaches.
What if I’m not selected for beta testing?
If you request beta access but aren’t chosen, don’t worry. The 2027-28 FAFSA will open to everyone no later than October 1, 2026.
You’ll lose no eligibility by waiting for the general public launch.