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2026–27 FAFSA guide

The FAFSA is available now. Submit early.

Use the 2026–27 form for college or career-school attendance from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The FAFSA is free.

Start at StudentAid.gov View the checklist
FAFSA checklist and StudentAid.gov account
Federal deadline June 30, 2027 11:59 p.m. Central time
Use this form for 2026–27 July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027 attendance
Maximum Pell Grant $7,395 Individual eligibility and awards vary

School and state deadlines may be much earlier than the federal deadline. Check official FAFSA deadlines.

Before you start

  • Create a separate StudentAid.gov account for the student and every required contributor.
  • Use an email address each person can access. Do not share usernames or passwords.
  • Gather Social Security numbers when applicable, tax information, asset records, and a list of schools.
  • Confirm which parent must participate if parents are divorced, separated, remarried, or live apart.
  • Allow time for contributors to receive, accept, complete, and sign their invitations.

What is a contributor?

A contributor is a person—such as the student, spouse, parent, or parent’s spouse—who must provide information, consent to the transfer of federal tax information, and sign their section. Being a contributor does not make someone financially responsible for college costs.

Complete the form in this order

  1. Student identity and circumstances. The student should begin the form and answer personal, dependency, and demographic questions.
  2. Student finances. Provide consent and approval for federal tax information and answer any remaining financial questions.
  3. Schools. Add every college, career school, or trade school that should receive FAFSA information.
  4. Contributor invitations. Invite the required parent, spouse, or parent’s spouse using the correct email address.
  5. Contributor sections. Each contributor signs in with their own account, completes their section, provides consent, and signs.
  6. Review and submit. Check names, dates, schools, signatures, and consent before submission.

After submitting

Check processing status

Most online forms process quickly, but some take longer. Confirm that every required contributor completed and signed their section.

Review the FAFSA Submission Summary

Check your answers, Student Aid Index, estimated eligibility, school list, and any required next steps or corrections.

Respond to verification requests

A school may ask for documentation before finalizing aid. Follow the school’s instructions and deadlines.

Compare school offers

The FAFSA Submission Summary is not a financial aid offer. Each school determines and sends its own offer.

Understanding the SAI

The Student Aid Index can range from a negative number upward. A lower SAI generally indicates greater financial need. It is not the amount your family must pay and not the amount of aid you will receive.

Common problems to avoid

  • Using the wrong FAFSA award year
  • Inviting a contributor with an email address that does not match their account
  • Leaving a required signature or consent incomplete
  • Waiting for the federal deadline and missing earlier state or school deadlines
  • Assuming you will not qualify and skipping the form
  • Paying a third party for a form that is free to submit

This guide was reviewed in July 2026 against current Federal Student Aid instructions. Always follow the instructions displayed in your StudentAid.gov account.