FAFSA Form Open – What Parents Need to Know
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form opened on September 23, 2026, the second year it has opened earlier than its usual October 1 date. Enhancements to the online form have been made to simplify the application process, which can take as little as 15 minutes to complete.
What is FAFSA?
Think of the FAFSA as the starting point for the financial aid process. The information you provide is used to calculate the Student Aid Index (SAI), which schools use to help determine a student’s financial need and eligibility for certain types of financial aid. States may also use FAFSA information to determine eligibility for their own aid programs.
Financial aid can include grants, scholarships, work-study funds and student loans.
Getting the FAFSA completed early can be important. Some state and school aid programs have limited funds or earlier deadlines, so submitting the FAFSA sooner gives students a chance to be considered as those funds are awarded.
How does FAFSA work?
- Academic Year: The 2027–28 form covers enrollment between July 1, 2027, and June 30, 2028
- The FAFSA form is free to complete. Start at the official FAFSA website: FAFSA.gov (FAFSA.gov redirects to StudentAid.gov).
- Students and required contributors need StudentAid.gov accounts. Your student will complete their portion of the form and invite a parent or other required contributor to provide their information.
- Have your financial information handy. You may need tax and other financial information to complete the FAFSA.
- Need Help? Visit the FAFSA Help Center to search for answers and additional resources.
Students must complete the FAFSA each year they want to be considered for federal student aid. If you have more than one child heading to college, each student will need their own FAFSA, but some parent information can be reused.
Ready to get started?
The new FAFSA is live. Getting it started early can give your family more time to work through the financial aid process and make sure you don’t miss an important state or school deadline. To check FAFSA deadlines in your state, visit StudentAid.gov.
Hi, I’m Mina, the editor at northtexaskids.com. I’m a mom to twins and enjoy sharing about family, community and our beautiful world. As a creator, I love blending design and visual storytelling to highlight the people, places, and experiences that matter to families across North Texas.
