FAFSA Season: How Employers Can Support Working Families (2027–28)

The 2027–28 FAFSA opened October 1, 2026, and the federal deadline is June 30, 2028. Employers can support working families through it by sharing a clear checklist when the form opens, reminding employees that filing is free at studentaid.gov, offering flexible time to gather tax documents, and connecting FAFSA to their education benefits. Below: what HR can do, plus step-by-step guidance to share with employees.

How can employers support families through FAFSA season?

Employers can help by giving working parents clear reminders, practical resources, and time to file. Many employees complete the FAFSA for a child on top of a full workload, and a small error or missed deadline can cost real aid.

• Send timely reminders. Share a FAFSA checklist in benefits communications when the form opens on October 1, with links to studentaid.gov and the FAFSA Help Guide.
• Remind employees filing is free. Point them to studentaid.gov so they don't pay for help they don't need.
• Offer flexibility. Setting up FSA IDs, gathering 2025 tax returns, and giving consent take time. Flexible hours help parents file early, before state and school funds run out.
• Host a short info session. A lunch-and-learn can cover the most common mistakes, which assets to report, and which parent should file.
• Connect FAFSA to your education benefits. Aid rarely covers the full cost of college. Remind employees what your benefits include, such as student loan coaching or tuition assistance, so families can plan the whole picture.

Thinking about adding education planning or student loan support for your employees? Tuition.io can help. Schedule a time to see what works for your workforce.

What employees need to know: the 2027–28 FAFSA, step by step

Share this section with your workforce in benefits emails, intranet posts, or open enrollment materials. It's written for employees and their families.

What is the FAFSA?

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the form that opens the door to most college financial aid. That includes federal grants, work-study, and student loans, plus many state and college-funded scholarships. It tells schools what your family can afford to contribute so they can decide what aid to offer.

Should I file the FAFSA if I don't think I'll qualify?

Yes. Whatever your family's income, you may still be eligible for some aid. Many colleges won't award their own grants and scholarships until you've filed, so it's worth filing even if you don't expect federal aid.

What do I need before I start the FAFSA?

You need a StudentAid.gov account for every contributor, your 2025 tax return, and current account balances.

• An FSA ID for each contributor. That usually means the student and at least one parent. Create it at studentaid.gov using your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card, your date of birth, a personal email you check often, and your Social Security number if you have one. Most accounts verify right away, but some take a few days, so do this first.
• Your 2025 tax return. The 2027–28 FAFSA uses 2025 tax information.
• Current balances for cash, savings, checking, and investment accounts.

Is the FAFSA free?

Yes, filing the FAFSA never costs anything. Some websites charge for help, but you don't need them. File directly at studentaid.gov.

When should I file the 2027–28 FAFSA?

As early as you can. The 2027–28 FAFSA opened October 1, 2026, and the federal deadline is June 30, 2028, but don't wait for it. Many colleges and states award aid until their funds run out, and some set priority deadlines well before the federal one, as early as January 2027. Check the deadline for your state and every school on your list.

How do I fill out the FAFSA, step by step?

1. Give consent to share tax information. Each contributor must consent for the FAFSA to pull federal tax information directly from the IRS. This step is required. Without it, the student isn't eligible for federal aid.
2. List every school you're considering. You can list up to 20 schools on the online form, including reach schools. You can add more later.
3. Report the right assets. See the table below.
4. Include the right parent. Most undergraduates are dependent students, so a parent must also provide information. If parents are divorced, separated, or remarried, use StudentAid.gov's Who's My FAFSA Parent? tool.
5. Check for common mistakes before you submit. See below.

What assets do I report on the FAFSA?

The FAFSA asks for current net worth. Retirement accounts and your primary home are not included.

StudentAid.gov has the full list of what to include and leave out.

What are the most common FAFSA mistakes?

Small errors can delay your aid. Avoid these:

• Leaving fields blank. Enter "0" or "N/A" instead.
• A legal name or Social Security number that doesn't match your records.
• An email address you rarely check. That's where updates go.

What happens after I submit the FAFSA?

About 3 to 5 days after you submit, log in to studentaid.gov and confirm your FAFSA shows as "Processed." Watch your email, including spam, for alerts about missing information or corrections.

Do I have to file the FAFSA every year?

Yes. Eligibility for student aid doesn't carry over from year to year. Complete the FAFSA every year to keep access to aid.

Your FAFSA checklist

• Create a StudentAid.gov account for the student and each contributor
• Gather 2025 tax returns and current account balances
• Check FAFSA deadlines for your state and each school
• Complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov. Stuck? The FAFSA Help Guide walks through every section.

Where to go from here 

Paying for college is a family decision, and you don't have to figure it out alone. If your employer offers Tuition.io, log in at employee.tuition.io to explore the resources available to you and your family.