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FAFSA 2026–27 Is Open and Processing During the Federal Shutdown

Experts urge early filing given furloughs that could slow fixes despite automated processing.

FILE - The U.S. Department of Education building is seen in Washington, on Nov. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File)
WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 20: A sign marks the location of the U.S. Department of Education headquarters building on June 20, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Photo by J. David Ake/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • Federal Student Aid confirms the 2026–27 FAFSA is live and applications are being processed even as the shutdown continues.
  • This year’s form launched on Sept. 24, a week earlier than the anticipated Oct. 1 date after months of beta testing.
  • Newsweek reports 87% of Education Department staff are furloughed, raising the risk of delays for technical issues or verifications if the shutdown persists.
  • The federal submission deadline is June 30, 2027, but many states and institutions set earlier priority dates, including California on March 2, 2026, and Kansas on April 15, 2026.
  • Applicants should create a studentaid.gov account, gather standard financial documents, include a parent’s information if dependent, consider using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, save confirmations, and contact school aid offices if problems occur.