started · updated
FAFSA application opens early for 2027-28 academic year
The 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has opened early, with the Education Department releasing the form on September 23, 2026. Experts emphasize that students must submit a new application every year to maintain eligibility for federal grants, scholarships, student loans, and work-study programs.
Early filing is critical because several states distribute grant money on a first-come, first-served basis. Once funds are exhausted, students may be placed on waiting lists. States identified as having limited availability or early priority dates include Kentucky, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Texas, which has a priority date of January 15, 2027. In Illinois, students who missed specific deadlines were placed on a suspense list with no guarantee of receiving aid.
Additionally, new regulations for Parent PLUS borrowers have implemented caps of $20,000 per year and $65,000 in total per dependent student. For the 2027-28 academic year, the FAFSA will utilize 2025 tax return information. Families are advised to use the official StudentAid.gov website to avoid fraudulent services.
Entities
Education Department · Illinois Student Assistance Commission · StudentAid.gov · Thornton · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Students must complete the FAFSA to access grants, scholarships, student loans, or work-study. getuperica.com · mypraiseatl.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Texas has set an early priority date of January 15, 2027, for state aid. www.moneycrashers.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] New Parent PLUS borrowers are limited to $20,000 annually and $65,000 in total per dependent student. www.moneycrashers.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The official FAFSA application is available through StudentAid.gov. getuperica.com · mypraiseatl.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] At least 10 states, including Kentucky, North Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Vermont, distribute grants on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. www.moneycrashers.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] For the 2027-28 school year, the FAFSA will utilize information from 2025 tax returns. getuperica.com · mypraiseatl.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Education Department opened the 2027-28 FAFSA form on September 23, 2026. www.moneycrashers.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Students must submit a new FAFSA application every year they attend college to remain eligible for federal aid. getuperica.com · mypraiseatl.com