It’s the first question almost every family asks, and the honest answer is frustrating: it depends. But “it depends” isn’t useful, so this guide shows you what it depends on, which dollar figures are fixed by law, and which are decided by your
Ask most families when the FAFSA is due, and they’ll say “June 30.” That answer is technically correct, and for many students it is also the most expensive one to rely on. The 2027–28 FAFSA went live on September 23, 2026. The federal
If you were planning to wait until October 1 to start your financial aid paperwork, you can stop waiting. On September 23, 2026, the U.S. Department of Education announced that the 2027–28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is online and available