2026–27 FAFSA Opens October 1, 2025

FAFSA Prep: Get Ready for the 2026–2027 FAFSA Opening October 1, 2025

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) opens October 1, 2025 for the 2026–2027 school year. Submitting early can make a big difference: many states and colleges have priority deadlines, and some aid is limited. Plus, the earlier you submit, the more time you have to fix errors or add corrections if needed.

Here’s how students and parents can prepare together.

1. Mark Your Calendar & Set Reminders

Students: Add October 1 to your calendar, and set reminders to start your FAFSA as soon as it opens. If you’re applying to multiple schools, ask each one about its 🔗 FAFSA priority deadline—some may fall as early as February or March.

• Parents: Mark your state’s aid deadline too (check at studentaid.gov/deadlines). Missing these can mean losing access to state grants.

💡 Why early matters: Submitting your FAFSA in October gives you time to catch and correct mistakes before critical deadlines.

2. Gather Required Documents in Advance

Students: Collect your Social Security number (or Alien Registration Number, if applicable) and your 2024 tax documents if you filed independently. Also note balances for checking/savings accounts and investments.

• Parents: Have your 2024 tax return and W-2s ready, since FAFSA uses “prior-prior year” tax data. If divorced or separated, only the custodial parent (the one the student lived with most in the past 12 months) should provide their information. Keep records of untaxed income, such as child support or veteran’s benefits.

💡 Tip: Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to securely import tax info—this reduces errors and speeds up processing.

3. Create or Update Your FSA ID

Students: You’ll need your own 🔗FSA ID (username and password) to log in, complete, and sign the FAFSA electronically.

• Parents: If your student is dependent, you also need your own 🔗FSA ID. Be sure to use your own email and phone number, not your student’s.

💡 Tip: Double-check your login before October 1 to avoid delays—resetting accounts can take several days.

4. Know Your Deadlines Beyond FAFSA

Students: Research each college’s FAFSA priority deadline. Schools often award institutional scholarships and grants on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Parents: Track both federal, state, and school deadlines. Federal FAFSA deadlines are June 30, 2027, but most state and college deadlines are much earlier. Keep a checklist so nothing is missed.

💡 Tip: Submitting early gives you breathing room in case you need to update financial info, add a school, or correct an error.

5. Share Responsibilities & Stay Organized

• Students: Take the lead on logging in, entering your personal info, and selecting colleges.

• Parents: Be prepared to enter your income/tax information, sign with your FSA ID, and double-check details. Encourage your student to sit with you during the process so they understand what’s being submitted.

💡 Tip: Treat this as a team effort—students learn responsibility, and parents ensure accuracy.

6. Plan Ahead for Costs & Aid Gaps

• Students: Use net price calculators on school websites to estimate costs and compare financial aid packages once they arrive.

• Parents: Explore tools like the Higher Edu Pro Budget Calculator to see how much your family can realistically contribute. Consider outside scholarships, work-study opportunities, and 529 plan savings.

7. Avoid Common Mistakes Together

• Students: Don’t assume you won’t qualify—many scholarships and state aid programs require the FAFSA even if you don’t get federal grants. Always use 🔗 studentaid.gov.

• Parents: Double-check that names, birthdates, and Social Security numbers match official records. Mistakes here cause processing delays.

💡 Tip: Submitting early leaves time for corrections. If you wait until spring and find an error, you risk missing state or institutional deadlines.

Final Thoughts

Filing the FAFSA may feel overwhelming, but preparing now—together—makes the process smoother. Students should take responsibility for their sections, while parents provide accurate financial data and support. Filing early not only improves your chances for aid but also gives you the flexibility to fix mistakes without losing opportunities.

📌 Next Step: Sign up for free text reminders from🔗Higher Edu Pro to stay on track with FAFSA deadlines, scholarship alerts, and financial planning resources.