Congratulations! You received your acceptance letter and chose a school, but now it’s time to figure out how to pay for college. As you and your family consider college expenses, you may feel overwhelmed by the cost and all the financial aid options. This guide explains FAFSA eligibility for the 2027–28 award year, which covers school terms from July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2028. The 2027–28 FAFSA opened September 23rd, 2026, and the federal deadline is June 30, 2028.

You’ve probably heard of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), but understanding how the FAFSA works, when to apply, and who qualifies for FAFSA aid can be confusing. For parents, you may be wondering if it’s even worth your time, especially if your income is higher.

Regardless of income, students and their parents should fill out the FAFSA, so you don’t miss out on valuable financial aid opportunities. Check out these helpful tips about FAFSA qualifications to ensure you get the aid you need. Still not sure if you qualify? Our Webinar Library covers eligibility, the most common application mistakes, and how to get more aid.

Basic FAFSA qualifications

Basic FAFSA eligibility is based on a few key factors:

• Financial need
• U.S. citizenship or eligible non-citizenship designation
• Enrollment in an eligible educational institution
• Proven academic progress while in school

Let’s dive into these details so you better understand FAFSA eligibility.

Students with financial needs

Students and parents who need help covering college costs like tuition, room and board, and books can file the FAFSA. Your family’s income affects how much aid you get, not whether you can apply. The following sections explain how income is used to determine your aid amount.

Students with a high school diploma or GED certificate

Another requirement for FAFSA qualification is that you must have a high school diploma, GED, or completed a state-approved home-school education program.

Students who are U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens

If you are a U.S. citizen, you must provide your social security number and other identifying information when applying for the FAFSA. If you are a dependent student, your parents must provide similar information and permit their federal tax records to be directly sent from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

FAFSA eligibility for non-citizens is possible if you fall into a certain category and have the necessary documentation. You may still be eligible if you’re in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen.

Students enrolled or accepted in eligible degree or certificate programs

To meet FAFSA eligibility requirements, you need to be enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program. Degree programs need to be offered at accredited universities and colleges. If your college is not accredited, there’s a high chance you won’t be eligible for FAFSA.

Check your school’s website for details about your major or program’s accreditation. If not, you can always reach out to your academic advisor.

FAFSA income guidelines

Income plays a role in how much federal aid you receive, but it doesn’t decide whether you can apply. There are no FAFSA income limits, so fill out the form regardless of how much your family makes. What your income does is feed into one number that shapes your whole aid offer: your Student Aid Index.

Student Aid Index (SAI)

The Student Aid Index (SAI) is a number calculated from the information you and your contributors report on the FAFSA, including income, assets, and family size. It replaced the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) starting with the 2024–25 award year.

Unlike the old EFC, your SAI can be negative, going as low as -1,500. A low or negative SAI signals high financial need and usually means you qualify for more aid, such as a Federal Pell Grant. For the 2026–27 award year, the maximum Pell Grant is $7,395.

Your SAI is not a bill, and it isn’t the amount your family will be asked to pay. Schools use it to measure your financial need with a simple formula: cost of attendance minus your SAI minus other aid equals your financial need. Your school then builds your aid offer around that need, combining grants, work-study, and federal student loans.

Example: how your SAI turns into financial need

Two families can file the same FAFSA and end up with very different aid offers. This example shows why: it follows two students with different SAIs, then shows what happens when one of them applies to a less expensive school. The numbers are made up, but the math is the same one your school will use: cost of attendance minus SAI equals financial need.

Student	School’s cost of attendance	SAI	Financial need	Aid they might see
Maya	$32,000	0	$32,000	Pell Grant, plus need-based state or school aid
Jordan	$32,000	20,000	$12,000	No Pell Grant, but possibly subsidized loans, work-study, or a school grant
Jordan, at a second school	$18,000	20,000	$0	Direct Unsubsidized Loans and any merit scholarships the school awards

The takeaway: Your SAI stays the same wherever you apply, but your financial need changes with each school’s cost. That’s why the same family can look “too high income” at one school and still qualify for need-based aid at another.

Filling out the FAFSA early will give you more insight into how much federal aid you could receive and help you begin planning for college sooner.

Are there income limits on FAFSA eligibility?

No, there is no income cutoff for FAFSA eligibility. If you meet the basic requirements, you can file no matter how much you or your contributors earn. What income changes is the type and amount of aid you’re offered, not whether you can apply.

Some federal aid is need-based. Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, subsidized loans, and Federal Work-Study all depend on your SAI and financial need. Other aid isn’t. Direct Unsubsidized Loans are available to eligible students regardless of income, and many colleges and states require a FAFSA before they’ll consider you for their own grants and merit scholarships.

That’s why higher-earning families should still file. Skipping the FAFSA can take you out of the running for aid you would have received, and a filed FAFSA gives your aid office a starting point if your family’s situation changes during the year. To get any federal financial aid, including grants, work-study, and federal student loans, you’ll need to complete the FAFSA form.

Special cases affecting FAFSA eligibility

Some special cases may affect your FAFSA qualification. These can include:

• A recent change in your income, employment status, or housing situation.
• Tuition, medical, or childcare expenses.
• If you or a member of your household have a severe disability.

Check the Federal Student Aid website if your income has changed recently or if your family is experiencing financial hardship.

Students with a criminal conviction

FAFSA eligibility may be affected by a criminal conviction; However, drug convictions no longer impact your federal aid eligibility. If you are incarcerated, you have limited FAFSA eligibility, but those limitations may be lifted upon your release. If you are on parole or probation, or in sober living, you may still be eligible for financial aid.

To get more information on what your conviction could mean for you, check out this federal aid page.

Non-citizen students

Non-citizens could be eligible for FAFSA if you:

• Are a U.S. national
• Have a green card (permanent resident card)
• Have an Arrival/Departure Record (I-94) showing a qualifying immigration status
• Have battered immigrant-qualified alien status
• Have a T visa or a parent with a T-1 visa
• Are a citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau

Students with a parent who was killed in military action

If your parent or guardian died in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, you can receive the Pell Grant under the Special Rule in the Higher Education Act (HEA).

What disqualifies you from FAFSA?

There are some circumstances in which you may lose your FAFSA eligibility. Keep reading to learn more about how to avoid losing eligibility.

Poor grades

If your grades drop and you’re not maintaining good academic standing, you could lose FAFSA eligibility. Check your school’s academic policies to ensure that you meet the requirements to keep your FAFSA qualification.

You’re no longer enrolled in a qualified program

If you change schools or programs, you may lose your FAFSA eligibility. Check the school or program you’re enrolled in to ensure it’s qualified under FAFSA guidelines.

Your parents didn’t file taxes

Your parents don’t have to file taxes to complete the FAFSA, but they do need to give consent for the IRS to share their federal tax information with the U.S. Department of Education. This is required even if they didn’t file a tax return. If they didn’t file, the IRS confirms that, and your parents may be asked to enter some financial information themselves.

Without their consent, you won’t be eligible for federal student aid. The Department of Education uses this information to calculate your Student Aid Index (SAI), which helps determine how much aid you can receive.

You defaulted on student loans

If you default on previous student loans or haven’t finished paying past student loans, you could lose your FAFSA eligibility. This is most applicable if you’re a returning student applying for a new loan for a graduate program.

Your citizenship status expired

If you were an eligible non-U.S. citizen but your status changed, you could lose FAFSA eligibility. If you can reinstate your legal status, you may be eligible for FAFSA again.

You forgot to renew

To remain FAFSA eligible, you must fill out the application for each year you need financial aid or are enrolled in school and meet the FAFSA approval timeline. If you apply early, you’ll have more time to plan for and apply for other financial aid like scholarships and grants.

FAQ

What are the eligibility requirements for FAFSA?

The three main FAFSA eligibility requirements are showing financial need, being a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen, and being enrolled or accepted in an eligible degree or certificate program. You’ll also need a high school diploma, GED, or completed state-approved homeschool program, and you must keep making satisfactory academic progress once you’re in school. Financial need affects which aid you receive, not whether you can file, so apply even if you’re unsure you’ll qualify for grants.

What is the maximum income to qualify for FAFSA?

There is no maximum income to qualify for the FAFSA, so every eligible student can file, whatever your family earns. Income affects your Student Aid Index, and a higher SAI may mean you don’t qualify for need-based aid like the Pell Grant. You can still be eligible for Direct Unsubsidized Loans, and many schools use your FAFSA to award their own grants and scholarships, so it’s worth filing at any income level.

How far back does FAFSA look at income?

The FAFSA looks at income from two years before the award year begins, often called the prior-prior year. For the 2027–28 FAFSA, you and your contributors report 2025 income. Most of that information transfers directly from the IRS once you and your contributors give consent. If your income has dropped since then, for example because of a job loss, contact your school’s financial aid office and ask about a professional judgment review.

When does the FAFSA open and close?

The 2027–28 FAFSA opened September 23rd, 2026, and the federal deadline is June 30, 2028. Don’t wait for the federal deadline, though. Many states and schools set much earlier deadlines, and some aid is awarded first come, first served. If you need aid for the current school year, the 2026–27 FAFSA stays open until June 30, 2027. Check your state deadline on studentaid.gov and your school’s deadline on its financial aid page.

Do I have to reapply for the FAFSA every year?

Yes, you need to submit a new FAFSA for every award year you want federal aid. Your eligibility and your family’s finances can change from year to year, so your aid is recalculated each time. If you’re a returning applicant, some of your information may be carried over from your previous application, making the process faster. Set a reminder for early fall so you can file early each year.

Does my parents’ income still count if I live on my own?

Yes, in most cases, your parents’ income still counts. Living on your own, paying your own bills, or not being claimed on your parents’ taxes doesn’t make you an independent student for FAFSA purposes. Instead, the FAFSA asks dependency questions to determine whether you need to report your parents’ financial information.

For the 2027–28 award year, you’re generally considered an independent student if you were born before January 1, 2004, are married, are a graduate or professional student, are a veteran or on qualifying active duty, or have children or other legal dependents you support. You may also qualify if you were in foster care, were an orphan, or were a ward of the court at any time since age 13, or if you’re an unaccompanied homeless youth or meet other qualifying homelessness criteria.

If you have unusual circumstances, such as parental abandonment or abuse, you can also contact your school’s financial aid office to discuss a possible dependency override.

Your next step: file, then fill the gap

Now that you know who qualifies, the next step is simple: file the FAFSA as early as you can. When your aid offer arrives, compare it to your school’s full cost of attendance. Use grants and scholarships first, then work-study and federal student loans. If there’s still a gap after that, undergraduate student loans from a private lender can help cover what your aid letter leaves uncovered. Compare rates and terms before you borrow, and borrow only what you need.