If you are planning to attend college, career school, or trade school, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) is usually the first step toward being considered for federal financial aid. States, colleges, and some private aid providers also use FAFSA information when determining eligibility for their own programs.
The FAFSA is free to complete. Submitting it does not guarantee that you will receive aid, but students generally must submit the applicable award-year FAFSA to be considered for federal grants, Federal Work-Study, and federal student loans.
What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is the official U.S. Department of Education form used to apply for federal student aid. Federal Student Aid explains that the form can provide access to federal grants, work-study funds, and federal student loans. States, schools, and some private organizations may also use FAFSA information to determine eligibility for their aid programs.
The form asks for information about the student’s identity, education plans, personal circumstances, finances, and the colleges or career schools that should receive the student’s FAFSA information. It also asks questions used to determine whether the student is dependent or independent for federal student aid purposes.
The FAFSA Processing System uses the information provided by the student and any required contributors to calculate the Student Aid Index (SAI) and determine estimated eligibility for certain federal aid. The SAI is an index used by schools when building financial aid offers. It is not a bill, a financial aid award, or the amount the student or family is expected to pay.
A contributor is a person—such as the student, the student’s spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or a parent’s spouse—who must provide information, consent and approval for the transfer and use of federal tax information, and a signature on the FAFSA form. Each required contributor needs a separate StudentAid.gov account. Being a contributor does not make a parent or spouse responsible for paying the student’s education costs.
For most applicants, federal tax information is transferred directly from the IRS after the student and required contributors provide consent and approval. Applicants should still answer every question presented to them and enter other requested financial information accurately.
Federal Student Aid reports that most people complete the online FAFSA form in less than 30 minutes, including time spent gathering the personal and financial information needed. An online FAFSA form may list up to 20 colleges or career schools at one time.
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Receiving Student Aid Offers from Schools
After the FAFSA is submitted and processed, the student can access a FAFSA Submission Summary through their StudentAid.gov account. Most online FAFSA forms are processed immediately, although some may take one to three days.
The FAFSA Submission Summary includes the student’s official SAI, estimated federal aid information, the answers submitted on the FAFSA, information about the schools listed, and any next steps. It may also indicate that a correction, additional consent or signature, or verification documentation is required.
Important: The FAFSA Submission Summary is not a financial aid offer. Aid estimates shown there are not guaranteed. Each school makes the final decision about the types and amounts of aid it can offer after the student is admitted and the school completes its eligibility review.
A school’s financial aid offer may include grants and scholarships, Federal Work-Study, and student loans. These forms of aid work differently: grants and scholarships generally do not need to be repaid when their conditions are met; Federal Work-Study must be earned through eligible employment; and student loans must be repaid with interest and applicable fees.
When comparing offers, look beyond the total aid amount. Compare the school’s cost of attendance, grants and scholarships, the amount of work-study that must be earned, loan amounts and terms, and the estimated remaining cost to the student and family.
When is the FAFSA Open Each Year?
Each FAFSA form applies to a specific award year. The 2027–28 FAFSA applies to students seeking aid for attendance between July 1, 2027, and June 30, 2028. The U.S. Department of Education has announced that the 2027–28 FAFSA form will be available by October 1, 2026.
The federal deadline for the 2027–28 FAFSA is June 30, 2028. That is the final federal filing deadline—not the recommended time to apply. State agencies, colleges, and scholarship providers often establish much earlier priority deadlines and may require separate forms.
Students should keep track of three different deadline types:
• Federal deadline: The final date on which the U.S. Department of Education can receive the FAFSA for the award year.
• State deadline: The date set by the student’s state agency for state grants or other assistance. Some state programs have limited funds or additional application requirements.
• School deadline: A college or career school may establish its own priority date for institutional grants, scholarships, or campus-based aid.
California identifies March 2 as a priority financial aid filing deadline for many programs, and certain community college students may have a September 2 deadline for Cal Grant consideration. Students should confirm the requirements for the applicable award year directly with the California Student Aid Commission.
Missing a state or school deadline does not automatically eliminate federal aid eligibility if the student still meets the federal deadline and all other requirements. However, missing an earlier deadline may reduce or eliminate eligibility for state, institutional, Federal Work-Study, FSEOG, or other limited funding. Submit the FAFSA as early as reasonably possible.
Who is Eligible to Fill Out the FAFSA?
Students who plan to attend an eligible college, career school, or trade school and want to be considered for financial aid should generally complete the FAFSA, even when they are unsure whether they will qualify. There is no fee to submit the form.
Common federal student aid requirements include, among other things:
• Being a U.S. citizen or qualifying eligible noncitizen;
• Having a valid Social Security number when required, subject to limited exceptions;
• Being accepted for enrollment or enrolled as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program;
• Having a qualifying high school completion credential or meeting another federally recognized academic qualification;
• Maintaining satisfactory academic progress after enrollment;
• Providing all required FAFSA information, consent and approval, and signatures; and
• Resolving any federal student loan default, grant overpayment, or other eligibility issue that requires action before aid can be disbursed.
Dependency status is determined by federal law—not by whether the student lives with their parents, supports themselves, files a separate tax return, or is claimed as a tax dependent. The FAFSA asks a series of questions to determine whether parent information is required.
Students must submit a FAFSA for each award year in which they want to be considered for federal student aid. Eligibility can change from one year to the next based on updated FAFSA information, enrollment, academic progress, program eligibility, prior aid history, and changes in federal or institutional rules.
Note: Completing the FAFSA is an application step. It does not guarantee a grant, scholarship, Federal Work-Study award or job, student loan, particular award amount, or sufficient aid to cover all education expenses.
How To Fill Out the FAFSA
These are the principal steps for completing and submitting the FAFSA:
1. Gather the information you may need. Confirm the correct award year and gather identifying information, current asset information, records of child support or other items requested by the form, and the email addresses of any required contributors. Most federal tax information is transferred directly from the IRS after consent and approval are provided, but the form may request other financial information.
2. Create StudentAid.gov accounts. The student and every required contributor must use a separate StudentAid.gov account. Do not create an account for another person or share login credentials. Creating and verifying accounts before beginning the form can help prevent delays.
3. Complete the student section and invite contributors. Answer the questions about identity, personal circumstances, demographics, finances, and education plans. Add the colleges or career schools that should receive the FAFSA information; the online form permits up to 20 schools at a time. When the form identifies a required contributor, send that person an invitation so they can complete their own section.
4. Review, sign, and submit the form. Check all answers carefully. The student and each required contributor must provide the required information, consent and approval, and signature. The FAFSA cannot be fully processed until every required section is complete.
5. Review the FAFSA Submission Summary and school offers. After processing, review the FAFSA Submission Summary, correct any errors, complete any state application, and respond promptly to verification or documentation requests. Schools generally issue financial aid offers after admission and after they have completed their eligibility review. Compare the types of aid and the remaining cost before accepting any loan or other aid that requires action.
Final Thoughts
Complete the FAFSA as early as reasonably possible for the award year you plan to attend. Federal Pell Grant funding is not generally awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to otherwise eligible students, but many state, institutional, Federal Work-Study, and FSEOG funds are limited. An early application can preserve more opportunities and leave time to resolve errors or missing information.
Review your answers and contributor status before submitting. A missing signature, missing consent and approval, incorrect identifying information, or an unfinished contributor section can prevent processing or delay an aid offer.
If your current financial circumstances are significantly different from the tax information used on the FAFSA—for example, because of a job loss, income reduction, divorce or separation, death in the family, or unusually high medical expenses—complete the FAFSA according to its instructions and then contact the school’s financial aid office. The school may consider a documented special-circumstances request under its professional judgment policy. An adjustment is case-specific and is not guaranteed.
The FAFSA is free. Be cautious of organizations that charge a fee to complete the form or promise guaranteed aid. Use StudentAid.gov and the financial aid office at your current or prospective school for assistance.
Do You Have Questions About Financial Aid?
For questions about financial aid at Campus, email financialaid@campus.edu. Students completing the FAFSA can use Campus’s federal school code, 008680. For questions about academic programs, admission requirements, or start dates, contact Admissions at (888) 675-2460.
The Campus Financial Aid team can explain the application process, identify additional information or documentation that may be required, and review the financial aid programs available to an individual student and program. The team—not the FAFSA confirmation page or FAFSA Submission Summary—provides Campus’s final financial aid offer after applicable requirements are satisfied.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Eligibility is determined through the FAFSA® and other applicable requirements. Awards vary based on financial need, program, enrollment status, prior aid history, available funding, and applicable federal, state, and institutional rules. Campus does not guarantee financial aid eligibility, award amounts, scholarship selection, a Federal Work-Study position, or loan approval.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and reflects information available as of August 21, 2026. The 2027–28 FAFSA form had not yet been released to the general public as of that date and was scheduled to become available by October 1, 2026. FAFSA processes, deadlines, eligibility requirements, aid programs, award amounts, and institutional policies may change.
Submitting the FAFSA does not guarantee financial aid eligibility or a particular award. Grants and scholarships may be subject to eligibility and renewal conditions; Federal Work-Study must be earned through approved employment; and student loans must be repaid with interest and applicable fees. Students should review current information at StudentAid.gov, applicable state-agency requirements, the current Campus Catalog, and communications from their institution’s financial aid office.
Sources
• Federal Student Aid — 2027–28 FAFSA® Form Coming Soon
• Federal Student Aid — FAFSA® Application
• Federal Student Aid — Steps for Students Filling Out the FAFSA® Form
• Federal Student Aid — FAFSA® Application Deadlines
• Federal Student Aid — FAFSA Submission Summary
• Federal Student Aid — 7 Things To Do After Submitting Your FAFSA® Form
• Federal Student Aid — Dependency Status
• California Student Aid Commission — Important Dates and Deadlines