MDHEWD encourages students to file FAFSA and offers free resources to assist

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Education announced that the 2027-28 Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form is now open, featuring additional improvements to simplify the application process for students and families. This form is the main way to determine students' eligibility for most federal and state financial aid, and the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) encourages students to file their FAFSA by February 1, 2027, to be considered for the most financial aid available.

"The FAFSA is an essential tool that helps students make their education more affordable and within reach, regardless of the pathway they choose," said Dr. Bennett Boggs, Commissioner of the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. "Completing the form opens access to financial resources that support students as they work toward their educational and career goals."

Missourians should submit a FAFSA every year they plan to attend college. In Missouri, eligible students who complete the FAFSA by February 1 will receive funding through Access Missouri, a need-based grant that assisted over 35,000 students during Fiscal Year 2026. The FAFSA is also required to be considered for many private scholarships and other state financial aid opportunities, including the A+ Scholarship Program and the Fast Track Incentive Grant. In total, Missouri's financial aid programs provided $155 million in financial aid to nearly 59,000 students last year.

To file a 2027-28 FAFSA, students need:

• A studentaid.gov account (or login information if they already have an account)
• 2025 tax information
• To determine whether they are a dependent or independent student
• To identify their parent/contributor (if they are a dependent student)

MDHEWD staff will be available at FAFSA events across the state to assist Missouri students and families file their FAFSA. Public FAFSA events - held at high schools, college campuses, and community facilities - are open to all high school seniors, current college students, and adults interested in continuing their education and training. MDHEWD is also available to host virtual office hours to offer one-on-one support to students and families who cannot attend an event or who may need extra help. If you are interested in one-on-one help, email [email protected].

"Filing the FAFSA is a quick and important step in exploring affordable college opportunities, and recent updates mean it usually takes just 15 minutes," said Alison Notter, MDHEWD Outreach Director. "We encourage every student considering college to file and to take advantage of the department's free events and support services to help them complete the FAFSA with confidence."

Notable improvements have been made to the 2027-28 form to help streamline the process. Students can now invite a parent or contributor to complete their FAFSA portion by text message as well as email. Questions and instructions have been updated for clarity, and later this fall returning students will see their information pre-populated from previous FAFSA forms, making the process much faster.

For more information about the FAFSA and helpful filing tips, visit the department's FAFSA website. MDHEWD will also post helpful information and updates on MDHEWD's social media pages.