The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step in applying for financial aid for college, career school, or trade school. Completing the FAFSA can help you access federal grants, work-study, and student loans, as well as some state and college-based financial aid.
The 2027–2028 FAFSA is expected to be available to the public by October 1, 2026. You can get ready now by creating your StudentAid.gov account and gathering the information you’ll need.
You can do this anytime—you don't have to wait until October 1!
The student needs their own StudentAid.gov account to complete and sign the FAFSA.
If a parent or another contributor is required to provide information, that person will also need their own StudentAid.gov account.
Each account belongs to one individual and should not be shared with anyone else.
Your StudentAid.gov account is used to access and electronically sign federal student aid forms.
Create or access your account at StudentAid.gov.
Before starting the FAFSA, have the following information available:
Social Security number (if applicable)
Driver’s license or state ID (if you have one)
2025 federal tax return information
Records of child support received, if applicable
Records of assets and investments, including current cash, checking, and savings account balances
Information about businesses or income-producing farms, if applicable
A list of the colleges, career schools, or trade schools you’re considering
Most federal tax information is transferred directly from the IRS after the student and required contributors provide consent and approval. However, it is still a good idea to have your tax records available because you may need them to answer additional questions.
Important: Use the tax year requested on the FAFSA. For the 2027–2028 FAFSA, families should be prepared to provide 2025 tax information.
Beginning October 1, 2026, go to StudentAid.gov and select the 2027–2028 FAFSA.
Log in using your StudentAid.gov account.
The student should generally start their own FAFSA and complete their required sections first.
If a parent or other contributor is required, the student will invite that person to complete their portion of the FAFSA.
Follow the instructions on the FAFSA to provide your personal, family, and financial information.
Make sure names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and other identifying information are entered correctly.
If you are required to provide parent information, make sure the correct parent is identified as a contributor.
Each required contributor must use their own StudentAid.gov account.
Students and contributors must provide consent and approval for their federal tax information to be transferred directly from the IRS—even if they did not file a federal tax return.
List the colleges, career schools, or trade schools you are considering so they can receive your FAFSA information.
Submitting your portion of the FAFSA may not mean the application is completely finished.
Make sure every required contributor completes their section.
Required contributors must provide their consent and approval and electronically sign the FAFSA.
The FAFSA cannot be fully processed until all required sections and signatures are completed.
After your FAFSA is processed, you’ll receive a FAFSA Submission Summary through your StudentAid.gov account.
Review it carefully to:
Check your FAFSA answers for accuracy.
Review your Student Aid Index (SAI).
Check the schools that received your FAFSA information.
Look for any required corrections or additional steps.
Keep a copy of the summary for your records.
The FAFSA Submission Summary is not your financial aid offer. Your college or career school will determine your actual financial aid package after reviewing your FAFSA information and other required information.
The Student Aid Index (SAI) is an index number calculated from information provided on the FAFSA. Schools use the SAI, along with other information such as cost of attendance, to help determine a student's financial aid eligibility.
The SAI is not a dollar amount, is not the amount your family is expected to pay, and is not your final financial aid offer.
✅ Create your StudentAid.gov account now. Students and required contributors each need their own account.
✅ Gather your 2025 tax information and other financial records before beginning the FAFSA.
✅ Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1, 2026. State and college financial aid deadlines may be earlier than the federal deadline, so check the deadlines for the schools and state where you plan to attend.
✅ Double-check your information before submitting, especially Social Security numbers and other identifying information.
✅ Make sure all required contributors complete their sections. An incomplete contributor section can prevent the FAFSA from being fully processed.
✅ Review your FAFSA Submission Summary after your FAFSA is processed and correct any errors as soon as possible.
✅ Contact your school’s financial aid office or your counselor if you have questions, unusual financial circumstances, or difficulty completing the FAFSA.
✅ Keep copies of your FAFSA-related documents and communications for your records.
Iowa College Student Aid Commission
ICAN Support
The Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) offers free, personalized assistance with completing the FAFSA. You can:
Schedule an appointment online at www.icansucceed.org/apt
Call 877-272-4692 or email ICAN@ICANsucceed.org for support
ICAN also provides a variety of resources to help you understand the financial aid process, including: