While students and schools are currently focused on the 2026-27 FAFSA, the Department of Education is looking ahead to next year’s FAFSA to prepare for its launch on October 1, 2026.
In a February 13 Electronic Announcement, the Department of Education announced the availability of the 2027-28 FAFSA materials for public comment.
The draft 2027–28 FAFSA form, FAFSA Submission Summary, Summary of Enhancements, and other documents can be viewed at https://www.regulations.gov/document/ED-2026-SCC-0199-0003 and selecting “Download” for the document(s) you would like to view.
In a February 13 press release, the Department stated that, as part of their commitment to invest in the FAFSA, the 2027-28 FAFSA will include the following enhancements:
- Ease of Renewal: Students’ data will be pre-populated from previous FAFSA forms, allowing for a much faster experience for returning students.
- Clearer Language: Questions and instructions have been rewritten to remove confusing jargon and help students and families better understand what is being asked.
- Family-Friendly: Parents with multiple children applying for Federal student aid will be able to reuse their information across all applications instead of being required to reenter it for every child.
Comments need to be submitted on or before April 14, 2026, and can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov or by postal mail, commercial delivery, or hand delivery. Any comments submitted by fax or email and those submitted after the comment period deadline will not be accepted.
