Students who will be graduating in May 2027 and plan to attend college during the 2027-2028 school year must complete FAFSA. FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the first step in receiving any financial aid. This includes, but is not limited to, student loans, federal or state grants or scholarships, institutional scholarships, and private scholarships.
The 2027-2028 FAFSA will officially open on October 1, but there are a few things students and parents can do ahead of time.
More information can be found here.
When applying for financial aid, students may be asked to complete the FAFSA, the CSS Profile, or both. While both applications help colleges determine financial aid eligibility, they serve different purposes.
All college-bound seniors should complete the FAFSA, even if they are unsure whether they will qualify for financial aid.
The CSS Profile does not replace the FAFSA - Some colleges require both applications.
Students should check each college's financial aid website for application requirements and deadlines.