Redesigned application takes about 15 minutes, down from hours or days
The U.S. Department of Education released the 2027-2028 Free Application for Federal Student Aid on Wednesday — the earliest date the form has ever opened to students. The release came more than a week ahead of the traditional Oct. 1 launch date, and the form is available at studentaid.gov.
Under Secretary for Higher Education Nicholas Kent said the redesign cuts the time required to fill out the form from hours or days to about 15 minutes on average. Kent spoke to ABC News.
“We’ve simplified it,” Kent said. “Instead of it taking hours or even days to fill out, it takes 15 minutes on average.”
The department said the changes include clearer language, an easier renewal process and the ability to invite a contributor to the form through text or email.
“We don’t want students leaving money on the table,” Kent said. “There’s a lot of money out there in higher education. We want students to take advantage of it. And it starts with filling out the FAFSA form.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon, in a written statement, said the department is “incredibly proud” to release the form ahead of schedule. The early release “ensures American students and families have access to the critical resources they need on their postsecondary education journey,” she said.
McMahon also said the form has a “state-of-the art fraud detection system.”
The FAFSA is the federal government’s primary application for student aid. Students must complete it to be considered for federal grants, work-study funds and federal student loans. Many states and colleges also use the form to determine eligibility for state and school aid.