The 2026–2027 FAFSA is almost here! So, what does that mean for your early applications? Submitting the FAFSA earlier means you’ll have more time to make an informed college choice.
1. Submit the FAFSA ASAP
The government typically releases the FAFSA every year on October 1st. As a result of changes to the FAFSA in 2023, the 2024–2025 forms were delayed until December, and the 2025–2026 forms weren't fully released until November. The 2026–2027 forms look to be back on track for October 1, the same date on which the CSS Profile is released.Visit to start filling out your FAFSA online. You’ll need your parent(s) or guardian(s) most recently completed federal income tax returns and W-2s, so let them know that you are starting the application. To prepare, you and your parent(s) or guardian(s) should also create , which you’ll use to sign your online application.
2. Calculate out-of-pocket costs
While you won’t necessarily receive financial aid packages earlier from your early application schools, you WILL have a clearer picture of what your estimated federal student aid might be. You'll get a FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS) within three days of submitting electronically (or ten days from a paper form) and this can help you see what federal grants and loans you may be eligible for.
3. Start weighing your financial aid options
The government uses the information on the FAFSA to determine your Student Aid Index—or SAI. This number is shared with your schools to put together your financial aid packages. The bottom line is the sooner you submit your FAFSA, the sooner schools can begin putting together your award package.
4. Compare financial packages
If you've applied early decision and are accepted, that's pretty much your only option. However, if you are deferred, or if you applied early action, you can now compare the specific financial offerings from each school, and if you're not seeing anything that works for your situation, you can try speaking to those schools or looking at the offerings from the schools to which you did not apply early.
Learn more about paying for college and get our expert tips on how to finance your education.
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