FAFSA 2027-28 Deadlines: Federal, State and College Dates in One List
The 2027-28 FAFSA federal deadline is June 30, 2028, but it is the last date that matters. State and college deadlines come first, some as early as October 2026, and some states pay only while funds last. File by the earliest one.
The FAFSA 2027-28 deadline for federal aid is June 30, 2028. That is the last date of three, and the one that matters least. Your state and your college set earlier deadlines, some as early as October 1, 2026, and several states hand out grants only while the money lasts. The rule is simple: find the earliest date on your list and file before it.
The 2027-28 form covers aid for the school year from July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028. It opened online on September 23, 2026, the earliest launch the program has had. So if you have a senior in high school or are in college now, the form is open today, and the clock on the early deadlines has already started.
The three FAFSA deadlines, and why the earliest one wins
Every FAFSA has three kinds of deadlines. They are set by different people and live in different places, which is why families miss them.
- The federal deadline. Set by the U.S. Department of Education. For 2027-28, the final FAFSA form published by Federal Student Aid says the application must be received no later than June 30, 2028, and your college must have your correct, complete information by your last day of enrollment that year.
- The state deadline. Set by your state's aid agency, for state grants and scholarships. These dates fall mostly between October 2026 and mid 2027.
- The college deadline. Set by each school, often called a priority date. The FAFSA form itself warns that for state or college aid, the deadline may be as early as October 1, 2026.
Missing the federal date means no federal aid for that year. Missing a state or college date can mean losing grant money even when you file on time for the federal one. That is why the earliest date on your own list is your real deadline.
State FAFSA deadlines for 2027-28
The form lists every state's deadline on its second page. Unless a date says "postmarked", it means the date your form must be received. A few examples from the official 2027-28 list:
| State | 2027-28 deadline on the FAFSA form |
|---|---|
| Texas | Priority consideration by January 15, 2027 |
| Connecticut | Priority consideration by February 15, 2027 |
| Louisiana | July 1, 2028, with February 1, 2027 recommended |
| California | March 2, 2027 (postmarked) for many state programs; Cal Grant also needs a school-certified GPA by then |
| Tennessee | State Grant: April 1, 2027 for prior-year recipients, other awards first come, first served |
| Illinois, Kentucky, Vermont, Washington | As soon as possible after October 1, 2026 |
| New York | June 30, 2028 |
The phrase to watch for is "as soon as possible after October 1, 2026" or "awards made while funds exist". It means there is no fixed date: the earlier you file, the better your chance that money is still there. If your state is not here, find it on page 2 of the form or in the state deadline table from NCAN, and check with your state agency, because some programs need extra forms.
Where college priority dates hide
The college date is the one families find last. It is not on the FAFSA form. It sits on the school's financial aid page, in an admissions portal, or in an email from the aid office that arrives between application essays and campus tour invites. Some schools also want a second form, such as their own aid application.
For each college on the list, write down:
- The FAFSA priority date for new students.
- Any extra aid form the school asks for, and its date.
- The school code you add to the FAFSA so the school gets your results. You can add schools in the form.
- Where the date came from, so you can check it again later.
If the college sends the date in an email, keep that email where you will see it again in January, not only in the inbox where it will sink. A tracker for these dates is the same idea as a scholarship deadline tracker: one line per school, the date, and what is still missing.
What to have ready before you start the FAFSA
The form goes faster when the papers are in one place. Reports on the launch say many families can finish it in about 15 minutes. That holds only if nobody is hunting for a password.
- A StudentAid.gov account for the student, and one for each contributor, such as a parent or spouse
- The list of colleges you want to send results to
- Tax information and records of savings and investments for the student and contributors
- Your state's deadline and each college's priority date, written next to each other
Contributors get an invitation and fill in their own part. The student and every contributor must give consent and sign, so a parent who has not opened the invite is the most common delay. Send the invitation early and agree on a day.
After you submit: keep the dates going
Filing is not the last step. Look out for the FAFSA Submission Summary, which shows your answers and an estimate of federal aid, and for requests from colleges for more documents. Many schools also send aid offers in spring with a date to accept them. Each of these is another date in another email.
If you are helping more than one child, or applying to many schools, the dates multiply. Our guide to handling too many school emails has a way to pull the dates out without reading every message twice.
Let Tracy keep the dates
With dEssence you send Tracy, its assistant, the things that hold the dates: the college aid email pasted in, a screenshot of the school's financial aid page, or the PDF of the state program. You do it from Telegram, iMessage, Chrome or the web. She pulls out the date and what it is for, and when you ask, she reminds you before it. She does not log into StudentAid.gov, does not read your inbox and does not fill in the FAFSA; you send her the pieces and she keeps track of them.
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline for the 2027-28 FAFSA?
The federal deadline is June 30, 2028. State and college deadlines are earlier, often between October 2026 and spring 2027, so file before the earliest date that applies to you.
When did the 2027-28 FAFSA open?
It opened online on September 23, 2026, the earliest launch so far. The paper form says to submit no earlier than October 1, 2026.
Is it better to file the FAFSA early?
Yes, in many states. Several states give out grants only while funds last, and the form lists them as "as soon as possible after October 1, 2026".
What is the Texas FAFSA deadline for 2027-28?
For priority consideration, January 15, 2027. Private and two-year schools may have different deadlines, so check with the school's aid office.
What is the California FAFSA deadline for 2027-28?
March 2, 2027, postmarked, for many state programs. Cal Grant also requires a school-certified GPA by the same date.