# US FAFSA rollout for 2027-28 academic year > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-fafsa-rollout-for-2027-28-academic-year > Updated: 2026-09-30T04:56:17.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 4. The U.S. Department of Education launched the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on September 23, 2026, ahead of the mandated October 1 deadline. This rollout followed an initial Beta 2 testing phase designed to allow early access for real applications via StudentAid.gov. Officials characterized this version as the simplest to date. Under Secretary for Higher Education Nicholas Kent stated the application now takes an average of 15 minutes to complete, noting improvements such as the removal of jargon and a feature to invite contributors via text or email. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon noted the redesign aims to prioritize student and family needs in accordance with the FAFSA Simplification Act of 2020. The system now communicates directly with the Internal Revenue Service to retrieve financial data electronically. Experts emphasize that early filing is critical to secure access to approximately $120 billion in annual government collegiate funding. Several states distribute grant money on a first-come, first-served basis; once funds are exhausted, students may be placed on waiting lists. States with limited availability or specific priority dates include Kentucky, North Carolina, 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. For the 2027-28 academic year, the FAFSA will utilize 2025 tax return information. Additionally, new regulations for Parent PLUS borrowers have implemented caps of $20,000 per year and $65,000 in total per dependent student. The application period covers the timeframe from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028. For immigrant families, contributors without a Social Security Number can participate by creating an account on the StudentAid.gov portal, and those with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) may use it in the designated field. ## Claims - The Department of Education has launched the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) earlier than previous years. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The FAFSA form now takes an average of 15 minutes to complete. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The new form includes clearer language to remove confusing jargon. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Students can now invite a contributor to the form via text or email. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The FAFSA rollout is intended to assist families with the 2027-2028 school year financial aid. (corroborated by 4 sources) - This is the second consecutive year the agency has launched the form before the October 1 deadline. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Students must complete the FAFSA to access grants, scholarships, student loans, or work-study. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Students must submit a new FAFSA application every year they attend college to remain eligible for federal aid. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The official FAFSA application is available through StudentAid.gov. (corroborated by 2 sources) - For the 2027-28 school year, the FAFSA will utilize information from 2025 tax returns. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Education Department opened the 2027-28 FAFSA form on September 23, 2026. (single 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. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-30: U.S. Department of Education opens 2027-2028 FAFSA applications The U.S. Department of Education has opened the 2027-2028 FAFSA, allowing students to apply for Pell Grants, work-study, and federal loans using 2025 tax information. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fafsa-opens-early-for-us-students-seeking-college-funding ### 2026-09-28: FAFSA application opens early for 2027-28 academic year The 2027-28 FAFSA is open, with experts urging early filing to secure state grants before funds run out in several states. New caps also apply to Parent PLUS borrower limits. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fafsa-application-opens-early-for-2027-28-academic-year ### 2026-09-23: U.S. Department of Education launches simplified FAFSA form early The U.S. Department of Education has released a simplified FAFSA form earlier than usual to help families prepare for the 2027-2028 school year and navigate rising college costs. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-department-of-education-launches-simplified-fafsa-form-early ### 2026-09-01: Department of Education opens Beta 2 testing for 2027-28 FAFSA The Department of Education has opened Beta 2 testing for the 2027-28 FAFSA, allowing students and parents to submit actual financial aid applications ahead of the official October 1 launch. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/department-of-education-opens-beta-2-testing-for-2027-28-fafsa --- Cite as: US FAFSA rollout for 2027-28 academic year. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-fafsa-rollout-for-2027-28-academic-year