The FAFSA for the 2026-2027 school year opened on October 1, 2025, and the federal deadline is June 30, 2027. However, you should not wait until the last minute. Many states and colleges have much earlier deadlines, and missing them could mean losing out on financial aid. This guide explains all the key dates you … Read more
The 2026-2027 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is due by June 30, 2027, for the federal deadline. However, your state and college may have much earlier deadlines, so you should not wait until spring to apply. Filing early—ideally as soon as the form opens on October 1, 2026—gives you the best chance to … Read more
The EFC, or Expected Family Contribution, is a number that colleges use to figure out how much financial aid you qualify for. It comes from the information you provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as FAFSA. Your EFC is not the amount you must pay, but rather a measure of your … Read more
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is the form you fill out to apply for financial aid for college or career school. Its main purpose is to determine how much money your family can contribute to your education and what aid you qualify for. Filing the FAFSA is the first step to … Read more
What income qualifies for FAFSA? The short answer is that there is no income cutoff. Even high-income families can qualify for some forms of financial aid, such as unsubsidized federal student loans. Your eligibility depends on many factors, not just income, including family size, number of students in college, and assets. The Free Application for … Read more
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your gateway to grants, work-study, and federal student loans. The federal deadline for the 2026-2027 school year is June 30, 2027, but your state and college may have much earlier deadlines. Missing these dates can cost you thousands of dollars in aid, so it’s critical to … Read more
Will FAFSA be gone? As of August 2026, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is still active and required for students seeking federal grants, loans, and work-study. While there have been major updates and redesigns to the form, the FAFSA itself is not being eliminated. This article explains what is changing, what is … Read more
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is the form you must complete to qualify for federal grants, work-study, and federal student loans. The short answer to who fills out FAFSA is: the student who is attending college or career school, plus a parent or guardian if the student is considered a dependent … Read more
Yes, you would likely qualify for FAFSA if you are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, have a valid Social Security number, and are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an eligible degree or certificate program. Your income level or your family’s income does not automatically disqualify you—many factors are considered. This article explains the … Read more
Your Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number that colleges use to figure out how much financial aid you can get. You can see your SAI on FAFSA right after you submit your form, and it also appears on your FAFSA Submission Summary. This article shows you exactly where to find it, how to read … Read more