The US Department of Education opened the 2027-28 Free Application for Federal Student Aid on Sept. 23, more than a week before the federally mandated Oct. 1 date and earlier than any previous FAFSA launch. The application covers the academic year from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028, and can determine eligibility for Pell Grants, federal work-study and federal student loans, while states and colleges use FAFSA information for some aid decisions. The redesigned form uses plainer language, removes confusing jargon and is estimated to take about 12 minutes on average. Students can invite parents, spouses and other contributors by text or email, including through QR-code-generated messages. Returning applicants are expected to receive pre-populated information later this fall, while parents with multiple children can reuse information across applications. Applicants will also receive real-time estimates of potential Pell Grant eligibility and other federal aid, plus an earnings indicator for schools on their lists. For 2027-28, family-owned businesses with fewer than 100 full-time employees, family farms and commercial fishing operations are excluded from the asset calculation for financial need. Earlier state, college and program deadlines mean students should apply well before the federal June 30, 2028, cutoff.