The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the main application used to apply for federal student aid for college, career school and graduate study in the United States. The 2026–27 FAFSA form is available, and students can use it to be considered for federal, state and school-based aid programs.

What is the FAFSA?

FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Colleges and career schools use information from the form when determining eligibility for financial aid. Depending on the student’s circumstances and the programs offered, aid can include grants, scholarships, work-study and federal student loans.

You must complete a new FAFSA each year you want to be considered for federal student aid. Some states and schools also use FAFSA information when awarding their own aid.

When can you submit the 2026–27 FAFSA?

The 2026–27 FAFSA covers the award year from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Federal Student Aid says the application could be submitted starting October 1, 2025, and the federal deadline is June 30, 2027. State and college deadlines can be earlier, so students should check the deadlines that apply to them.

Important: The federal deadline is not necessarily the deadline that matters most for a particular state, college or scholarship program. Earlier submission may be important when aid is limited or awarded on a priority basis.

Who should complete the FAFSA?

Students who want to be considered for federal, state or school financial aid generally should complete the FAFSA. Federal Student Aid notes that students can submit the form regardless of income if they want to be considered for available aid programs.

What do you need before starting?

  • A StudentAid.gov account for the student.
  • A StudentAid.gov account for each required contributor.
  • Personal and financial information requested by the form.
  • Information about the colleges or career schools the student wants to consider.

For dependent students, a parent will usually be identified as a contributor. Contributors must have their own StudentAid.gov accounts and complete their required sections.

How to complete the FAFSA

  1. Create or access your StudentAid.gov account. Each required contributor needs their own account.
  2. Start the FAFSA. The student should generally start the application and complete the required student sections first.
  3. Invite contributors. If parent or spouse information is required, the student can invite the appropriate contributor.
  4. Provide consent and financial information. Complete the sections requested by the form and follow the instructions carefully.
  5. Review and sign. Check the information before submitting and make sure required contributors complete their portions.
  6. Review the FAFSA Submission Summary. After processing, review the summary for errors, eligibility information and next steps.

What happens after you submit the FAFSA?

Submitting the FAFSA is only one part of the financial-aid process. After processing, students should review their FAFSA Submission Summary, make corrections if necessary, complete any state aid requirements and watch for communications from their schools.

Students should also compare financial aid offers carefully. An aid offer can contain different types of assistance, including grants, scholarships, work-study and loans, and these forms of aid do not have the same repayment requirements.

FAFSA deadlines: federal vs. state vs. college

Deadline typeWhat it means
FederalThe federal 2026–27 FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2027.
StateStates may set earlier deadlines for state aid and may have additional requirements.
CollegeIndividual schools can set their own financial-aid or priority deadlines.

Because these deadlines can differ, students should check their state’s deadline and each college’s financial-aid instructions rather than relying only on the federal deadline.

Common FAFSA mistakes to avoid

  • Waiting until the federal deadline without checking earlier state or college deadlines.
  • Sharing a StudentAid.gov account with another person.
  • Entering information without reviewing it carefully.
  • Forgetting to complete required contributor sections.
  • Assuming the FAFSA itself is the final step in receiving financial aid.

How this fits into your U.S. college plan

Financial aid is one part of the broader U.S. higher-education system. If you are new to the American education system, start with our complete guide to education in the USA, then use this FAFSA guide as a focused resource for paying for college.

For a broader financial-aid overview, see How Federal Student Aid Works and Grants and Scholarships for College Students.

Key takeaways

  • The 2026–27 FAFSA is available.
  • The federal FAFSA deadline is June 30, 2027, but state and college deadlines may be earlier.
  • Students generally need a StudentAid.gov account to complete the FAFSA online.
  • Required contributors need their own accounts.
  • After submitting, review the FAFSA Submission Summary and complete any additional state or college requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Is the FAFSA free?

Yes. The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and there is no charge to submit the federal application.

Do I need to complete the FAFSA every year?

Yes. Students generally need to submit a new FAFSA for each award year in which they want to be considered for federal student aid.

What is the federal deadline for the 2026–27 FAFSA?

The federal deadline is June 30, 2027. State and college deadlines can be earlier.

Does completing the FAFSA guarantee financial aid?

No. Completing the FAFSA is an application step. Eligibility and aid offers depend on the applicable federal, state and school programs and the student’s circumstances.

Where can I get official FAFSA help?

Federal Student Aid provides the official FAFSA application and help resources through StudentAid.gov.

Official sources

Last reviewed: September 2026.

New to federal aid? Read our complete guide to how federal student aid works.