If you’re planning to attend college next year (2027-2028 academic year), completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an important step in making college more affordable to you. With the 2027-2028 FAFSA now available, I’ve put together the five things you need to know before you get started. A little preparation can go a long way- you’ve got this!

Apply Early and Be Aware of Deadlines

Did you know you can file your FAFSA even before you receive an admission decision from a college? All FAFSA deadlines are not the same, so I recommend you check the financial aid deadlines for every school you are considering. Framingham State University’s priority FAFSA deadline is March 1, while the Massachusetts state deadline is June 30.

Some financial aid programs have limited funding, so applying by the appropriate deadline is important. You don’t want to miss out on potential grants or scholarships simply because you waited too long to file.

Filing your FAFSA early can reduce stress, give you the best opportunity to be considered for aid, give you more time to compare offers between schools, and help you budget for college expenses.

Create Your StudentAid.gov Account

Before you can complete the FAFSA, you’ll need a StudentAid.gov Account. Students and required contributors must each have their own unique account. Think of your StudentAid.gov Account as your key to federal student aid. You’ll use it each year you complete the FAFSA, and you may also use it to sign federal student loan documents and keep track of your federal student loan history.

When creating your account, use a personal email address that you will have access to long-term. Avoid using a high school or college email address that you may lose access to after graduation.

Who needs a StudentAid.gov Account?

• The student
• Each parent listed on the FAFSA (If married parents filed taxes jointly, only one parent needs to create an account)
• Student’s spouse if they filed taxes separately or didn’t file taxes

Have Your Contributor’s Information Ready

If you are a dependent student, you will need the following information for your parent to invite them to be a contributor on your FAFSA: 

• First and Last Name
• Date of Birth
• Social Security Number if they have one, or their exact mailing address if they don’t have an SSN
• Email Address

Your contributor will need to provide consent and approval for the FAFSA to access their federal tax information.

Know What Information You’ll Need

Gathering your financial information before you begin can make completing the FAFSA much easier.

Depending on your circumstances, you may need:

• Federal income tax returns 
• Records of child support received
• Current balance of cash, savings, and checking accounts
• Bank statements and Investment records
• Records of net worth of investments, businesses, and farms
• Your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) if you’re not a U.S. citizen

You must provide consent and approval for the FAFSA to access your federal tax information to be eligible for federal student aid. If you are a dependent student, your parent(s) may need to provide this information as well. If you are a married student who did not file a joint tax return with your spouse, your spouse may also need to provide financial information.

Create Your List of Schools

Be sure to include every college you are considering on your FAFSA. You can list up to 20 schools at a time, and you do not need to have applied to or been accepted by a school to include it on your FAFSA. Including a school on your FAFSA does not commit you to attending that school. It simply allows the school to receive your information and determine your eligibility for financial aid.

Ready to Get Started?

The FAFSA may seem overwhelming at first, but preparing ahead of time can make the process much easier. Create your StudentAid.gov Account, gather the information you’ll need, and keep track of important deadlines. Remember, you don’t have to figure it all out alone. If you have questions about the FAFSA or financial aid, reach out to the financial aid office at the schools you’re considering. We’re here to help!