October 1 is the date the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — FAFSA — opens for the 2027-2028 academic year. That’s about six weeks from now. And for every Montgomery-area senior who is planning to attend college, that date matters more than most people realize.
Here’s why, and what to do about it.
What FAFSA Does (and What It Doesn’t)
FAFSA determines your Expected Family Contribution — the federal government’s assessment of how much your household can contribute to college costs. That number drives almost every form of federal and institutional need-based aid you might receive: Pell Grants, subsidized loans, work-study, and need-based scholarships at many colleges.
FAFSA doesn’t give you money directly. It opens the door to money — federal grants, institutional aid, and the financial aid packages schools use to recruit you. Filling it out is the prerequisite for almost everything else.
Why Earlier Is Almost Always Better
Many colleges and state programs distribute need-based aid on a first-come, first-served basis. Their financial aid pools have limits. A student who files FAFSA in February competes for what’s left in the pool after October and November filers have already been awarded.
This is especially true for state grants and institutional scholarships at schools with limited endowments. Filing in October rather than January can meaningfully change the aid package a school offers — not because your numbers changed, but because the money was still available when you applied for it.
How This Connects to Outside Scholarships Like BFCF
When you receive an outside scholarship like a BFCF award, you are required to report it to your college’s financial aid office. Done correctly, this typically reduces your loan offers first — which is a genuine win. But none of that math works in your favor if you don’t know what your full financial aid picture looks like. Filing FAFSA early gives you that complete picture before Decision Day.
Our free Financial Aid Guide explains how to read your award letter, compare offers across schools, and understand how outside scholarships interact with institutional aid. Download it at boswellfamilycharity.org/scholarships.
FAFSA opens October 1. File as soon as it opens. Your future self will thank you.
