FAFSA Targets Oct. 1 Launch for 2027-28 Form After 3-Year Overhaul

2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 28

Oct. 1 is the planned public release date for the 2027-28 FAFSA, with the updated federal aid form now in testing after the system’s breakdown three years ago.
Federal Student Aid officials and outside testers say the new online application is faster to complete and returns financial-aid eligibility estimates much sooner than earlier versions.
Question wording and other design tweaks are meant to reduce friction for students and parents, though officials’ hope of making the process more “delightful” remains aspirational.
The smoother rollout would come as families face broader student-aid strain, including new borrowing limits for parents and graduate students.