Story perspectives

FAFSA 2027-28 Launch Cuts Completion Time to 15 Minutes

By Drooid · Sep 24, 2026, 10:13 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Department of Education opened the 2027-28 FAFSA on September 23, 2026, the earliest launch in program history.
Under Secretary Nicholas Kent said the new form averages 15 minutes, versus hours previously.
Real-time results now display Pell Grant eligibility and an earnings indicator comparing graduate to high-school earnings.
Fraud-detection improvements have saved taxpayers more than $2 billion since January 2025.

History

Historical Context

FAFSA Simplification Act of 2020 pushed the Department of Education to revamp free application, but 2024 rollout suffered glitches that delayed data to colleges, prompting a Feb. 12, 2024 letter from 108 Congress members, including Senator Bernie Sanders. After the June 2024 resignation of Federal Student Aid chief Richard Cordray, the agency—processing 22 million FAFSAs annually—opened the 2025-26 form early on Nov. 21 2024 to give applicants more time under simplification drive.

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Story summary

U.S. Department of Education opened the 2027-28 FAFSA on September 23, 2026, the earliest launch in program history.
Under Secretary Nicholas Kent said the new form averages 15 minutes, versus hours previously.
Real-time results now display Pell Grant eligibility and an earnings indicator comparing graduate to high-school earnings.
Fraud-detection improvements have saved taxpayers more than $2 billion since January 2025.

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