FAFSA State Deadlines 2027–28: Every State's Date — Texas January 15, California March 2

The 2027–28 FAFSA opened on September 23, 2026 — and while the federal deadline is not until June 30, 2028, that is the least important date on the calendar. Your state deadline is the one that can cost you real money: many state grants are first-come, first-served, and the earliest fixed date is Texas, January 15, 2027. Here is the federal date, the state dates that matter most, and the full state-by-state list for the 2027–28 award year.

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Quick answer: The 2027–28 FAFSA opened September 23, 2026. The federal deadline is June 30, 2028 (11:59 p.m. CT), with corrections due September 12, 2028 — but state deadlines come far earlier and control state grants. The earliest fixed dates are Texas January 15, 2027 (priority), Missouri February 1, 2027 (priority), Connecticut February 15, 2027, and California March 2, 2027 (Cal Grant; September 2, 2027 for community college Cal Grants). Many states award until funds run out, so file as soon as possible after October 1, 2026. Missing a state deadline does not affect your federal aid — but it can close off your state grant entirely.

The Three Deadlines You Actually Have

Federal deadline — June 30, 2028. The last day to submit the 2027–28 FAFSA for federal aid (Pell Grants, federal loans, work-study). Corrections are due September 12, 2028. This date only protects federal aid.
State deadline — as early as January 15, 2027. Each state sets its own date for its own grant programs, and many hand out money first-come, first-served until it runs out.
College deadline — varies by school. Your college's financial aid office may set its own priority date, often in January or February 2027. Check it separately.

StudentAid.gov says it plainly: missing a state deadline does not affect your federal aid, so file even if your state's date has passed — but the state grant that deadline protected will be gone.

FAFSA State Deadlines 2027–28: The Dates That Matter Most

Texas — January 15, 2027 (priority). The earliest fixed date in the country. It covers the TEXAS Grant, which pays up to $5,399 a semester at a Texas public university, plus other state aid. Private and two-year colleges may differ.
Missouri — February 1, 2027 (priority). Submit by this date for priority consideration.
Connecticut — February 15, 2027. Date received, for priority consideration.
Arkansas — March 1, 2027 (Governor's Scholars–Distinguished); July 1, 2027 (Academic Challenge, non-distinguished, and ArFuture Grant for fall).
Idaho — March 1, 2027 (Opportunity Scholarship).
Maryland — March 1, 2027. Date received.
California — March 2, 2027 (date postmarked). Cal Grant deadline, with GPA verification also due March 2. Community college Cal Grants have a second deadline of September 2, 2027. See our Cal Grant 2027–28 guide.
Arizona — April 1, 2027. Arizona Promise Program, priority consideration.
New Jersey — April 15, 2027, 11:00 p.m. CT (2026–27 TAG recipients); September 15, 2027 (other TAG applicants, fall and spring); February 15, 2028 (spring only).
Pennsylvania — May 1, 2027 (first-time and renewal applicants at four-year colleges); August 1, 2027 (community colleges and other two-year programs).
Florida — May 15, 2027 (date processed). See our Florida Bright Futures guide.
District of Columbia — June 25, 2027 (priority); July 1, 2027 (DC TAG) via the DC OneApp.
Alaska — as soon as possible after October 1, 2026 (Education Grant, funds run out); June 30, 2027 (Performance Scholarship priority).
New York — June 30, 2028. New York posts the federal date for its Tuition Assistance Program.

States With No Fixed Date: File Immediately

Several states post no fixed deadline and award aid until the money runs out. If you live in one of these states, file the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1, 2026 — waiting is the same as missing the deadline:

Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington — file as soon as possible after October 1, 2026. Illinois' MAP grants and Kentucky's awards are made until funds are depleted.
Alabama — no date posted; check with your financial aid administrator.
North Carolina — as soon as possible after October 1, 2026 for private institutions; UNC System institutions list June 1, 2027.
Iowa and Michigan — July 1, 2027.
Louisiana — June 30, 2028, but the state recommends filing by February 1, 2027.
Ohio — October 1, 2027.

Twelve states post no date at all on the federal page, and the federal page itself tells students to visit their state higher education agency's website for the most up-to-date deadline.

What the FAFSA Unlocks (and What It Costs)

The FAFSA is free — never pay to file it or to apply for a scholarship. Anyone charging a fee to complete your FAFSA is running a scam. Filing unlocks:

Pell Grants — up to $7,395 for the 2026–27 award year (the 2027–28 maximum is set by Congress; confirm on studentaid.gov).
Federal student loans and work-study.
State grants like the TEXAS Grant, Cal Grant, and Florida Bright Futures — all governed by the state deadlines above.
Most college and private scholarships, which use your Student Aid Index (SAI) to assess need — including the UNCF STEM Scholars and APIA Scholars programs.

If you are starting college before July 2027, you file the 2026–27 form instead — its federal deadline is June 30, 2027, and most of its state deadlines have already passed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the federal FAFSA deadline for 2027–28?
June 30, 2028, at 11:59 p.m. Central time. Corrections and updates are due by September 12, 2028. The form opened September 23, 2026.

What is the earliest FAFSA state deadline for 2027–28?
Texas, January 15, 2027 (priority). Missouri follows on February 1, 2027, and Connecticut on February 15, 2027.

What happens if I miss my state FAFSA deadline?
You lose eligibility for that state's grant programs, but your federal aid is unaffected — StudentAid.gov states this explicitly. File anyway; federal Pell Grants and loans are still available.

Do I need to file the FAFSA even if my state has no deadline?
Yes — especially then. States without fixed dates award money first-come, first-served until funds run out, so the earlier you file, the better your chances.

Does the FAFSA cost money?
No. The FAFSA is completely free at studentaid.gov. Never pay anyone to file it for you.

Which FAFSA form do I file for fall 2027?
The 2027–28 form, which covers July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028. If your classes start before July 2027, file the 2026–27 form instead.

Sources: StudentAid.gov FAFSA deadlines page (checked September 29, 2026); The College Investor FAFSA deadlines guide; state higher education agency pages via Fastweb's state deadline guide. State deadlines change — always confirm your state's current date on studentaid.gov or your state higher education agency's website. Warning: never pay to apply for a scholarship or to file the FAFSA — both are free.

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