The U.S. Department of Education announced that the FAFSA form for 2027-28 is now available online for all students and those who need to provide information, marking the earliest launch in the program's history for the second consecutive year.
The form, which can be completed at StudentAid.gov, is used to apply for three main types of federal aid: Pell Grants, which do not require repayment; Federal Work-Study programs, which provide part-time paid work opportunities; and federal student loans, which must be repaid. The maximum amount for the Pell Grant for the 2027-28 cycle has not yet been announced. Completing the FAFSA does not guarantee receiving aid: eligibility is determined based on the Student Aid Index and other criteria. Additionally, many universities and state programs use the information from the form to award their own aid.
What does the FAFSA cover for 2027-28 and how does it differ from 2026-27?
This form covers the academic year from July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028 and utilizes tax information from the year 2025. It is essential not to confuse it with the FAFSA 2026-27, which pertains to the current cycle, from July 2026 to June 2027, and uses tax data from 2024. Families must complete the form relevant to the year in which the student will attend classes.
How to complete the form step by step
To start the application with Federal Student Aid, the student must create or retrieve their account on StudentAid.gov. Parents, spouses, or others who need to provide information for the form, referred to as contributors, also need their own account.
Once inside, you need to provide basic identification information, family situation, and tax data for 2025. The form identifies who should be listed as contributor. If the parents are married, not separated, and filed their tax return jointly, only one should act as the contributor, although the form includes information from both.
If the parents are divorced or separated, the one who has provided the most financial support to the student in the last 12 months should participate. If both contributed exactly the same or neither provided financial support, it is the parent with the higher income and assets who should take part.
During the process, the educational institutions to which the information should be sent are added. After completing the relevant sections, each participant must review and sign their part of the form. Once submitted, the student can check the FAFSA Submission Summary to confirm the entered information and view the initial results of their application.
Among the improvements for the 2027-28 cycle is the ability to invite a contributor via text message. The Department of Education also plans to enable automatic pre-filling of certain data for those renewing the form during the fall. The system also retains previously incorporated functions, such as real-time information about potential eligibility for the Pell Grant.
What happens if the parents do not have a Social Security number?
This is one of the points that generates the most confusion among Cuban families and immigrants. According to Federal Student Aid, a parent or contributor without a Social Security Number (SSN) can create an account on StudentAid.gov by following the designated verification process and completing their section of the form. In that case, the corresponding SSN field remains blank. If the individual has an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), they should enter it in the specific field provided for that number.
What matters is that the immigration status of the parents does not solely determine the student's eligibility for federal aid. The FAFSA does not inquire about the immigration status of parents. Eligibility depends on the student’s own situation: U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Cuban-Haitian Entrants, and certain individuals admitted under parole, among other categories recognized by Federal Student Aid, may be eligible.
Cubans who have obtained permanent residency through the Cuban Adjustment Act generally meet the immigration requirement. The I-220A, on its own, is not listed among the immigration categories recognized by Federal Student Aid as eligible for federal assistance. Each student's situation should be assessed according to any other immigration category or condition they may hold. Those who do not qualify for federal aid can explore options for institutional, state, or private funding.
Yes, there is a condition that can directly affect the student: if the individuals required to provide information refuse to give their consent to transfer the relevant tax data for the form, the student may lose eligibility for federal aid.
Deadlines: the sooner, the better
The final federal deadline to submit the FAFSA for 2027-28 is June 30, 2028, but many states and universities set much earlier priority dates. California's deadline is March 2, 2027; Maryland's is March 1; Connecticut's is February 15; Louisiana recommends submitting it before February 1; and Indiana sets April 15, 2027.
Submitting the form as soon as possible can increase the chances of gaining access to certain state or institutional programs with limited funds or those granted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Related videos:
Filed under: