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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid

  • 23 Sep 2025
A laptop displays a FAFSA login screen on a desk with a coffee cup, plant, paper clips, and a yellow keychain nearby.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026-2027 school year will be made available on October 1, 2025. If you have children starting college or already in college, we recommend that you complete the form as soon as you can.

The FAFSA is a critical part of the college application process. Information that you provide on the FAFSA gives colleges a view of your household income and assets, so that they can determine how much financial aid your student might be eligible for.

Completing the FAFSA is important for many reasons:

  • It qualifies you for federal student aid, including grants and loans. Even if you don’t qualify for need-based aid, there are federal loans that are not need-based and you still must complete the FAFSA before applying. You need to complete the FAFSA for each school year when you apply for a federal student loan.
  • Most schools require a completed FAFSA before distributing their own financial aid. Many times, this aid is given out on a first-come, first-served basis, which makes completing the FAFSA early essential! Even if your student has not decided on a college choice, you should still complete the FAFSA right away to have the best chance of receiving financial aid.
  • Some scholarships also require a completed FAFSA, even if they are not need-based.

There are many potential strategies for paying for college, even if you don’t qualify for financial aid. Griffin Black can help you create a college financial plan, whether your student is already in college or still years away from starting. You can download a copy of our guide, or you can reach out to one of our advisors.

Griffin Black, LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser; registration does not imply skill or training. Content is for informational purposes only and is not investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. No client relationship is created by viewing this site. Information is believed reliable but not guaranteed. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal; past performance does not guarantee future results. Any testimonials or ratings may not reflect all experiences and are not indicative of future outcomes. Additional information, including fees and services, is available in our Form ADV Part 2A.

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