2027-28 FAFSA opened Sept. 23, 2026, the earliest launch in program history

Published on October 28, 2026

The 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened on Sept. 23, 2026, the earliest launch in the program’s history, according to the Florida College Access Network (FCAN). The U.S. Department of Education also changed the form. The 2027-28 FAFSA uses clearer language and lets students invite parents or other contributors by text message or email. A simpler renewal process, expected later this fall, will prepopulate returning students’ answers from their prior-year FAFSA. ¹

The early start affects Florida students and families, who gain more time to complete the application, plan for education after high school and learn sooner what financial aid they qualify for. As of Oct. 16, 25,021 Florida high school seniors had completed the 2027-28 FAFSA, up 0.7% from 24,853 at the same point last year.

FCAN’s First-Look FAFSA Dashboard tracks weekly submissions and completions for the class of 2027 across more than 600 public high schools, all 67 counties and Florida House and Senate districts. Students may join the Florida FAFSA Challenge, a statewide campaign that encourages students to complete the FAFSA and find out whether they qualify for aid such as the federal Pell Grant.