Table Night Cards

Companion guide

FAFSA 2027–28

Senior year, for college that starts in the 2027–28 school year

Read this before you sit down. The cards cover the conversation; this page covers what to have open and the dates to write on the fridge.

Have these on the table

  • Our 2025 federal tax returns, because that is the year the 2027–28 form asks about. Federal Student Aid
  • Your Social Security number, entered exactly as it appears on your Social Security card. Federal Student Aid
  • The list of colleges. Online, the form takes up to 20. Federal Student Aid
  • Today’s balances for cash, savings, checking and investments. The form asks for their value as of the day you file. Federal Student Aid
  • Each college’s deadline and our state’s deadline, written down before we start.

Dates for the fridge

  • October 1, 2026: the earliest day the 2027–28 form can be submitted. Federal Student Aid
  • As early as October 1, 2026: some state and college deadlines, and some aid is first-come, first-served. Federal Student Aid
  • June 30, 2028: the last day the federal form can be received. Federal Student Aid

Worth knowing first

  • Grandparents, legal guardians, foster parents and widowed stepparents don’t count as parents on this form unless they adopted the student. Federal Student Aid
  • The student and every contributor must consent to sharing tax information, or the student won’t be eligible for federal aid. Federal Student Aid
  • If money changed a lot since 2025, file anyway, then tell each college’s financial aid office. Federal Student Aid
  • Help is free at 1-800-433-3243. Paid preparers aren’t allowed. Federal Student Aid

Open the FAFSA 2027–28 cards

Sources