ED Opens Second Phase of 2027-28 FAFSA Beta Testing, Certifies the FAFSA Will Launch By October 1

The U.S. Department of Education has launched the second phase of beta testing for the 2027–28 FAFSA, allowing students and contributors nationwide to request participation ahead of the form’s planned public release by October 1. Students participating in the beta complete an official FAFSA and can list up to 20 institutions, meaning colleges and state agencies may begin receiving official 2027–28 Institutional Student Information Records before the regular award cycle; institutions are not required to process these early. The Department is encouraging institutions that choose to use the early ISIRs for systems testing to report any technical or processing problems so they can be addressed before the nationwide launch.