United States · Financial aid
California FAFSA deadline 2027-28.
California’s deadline text from the official 2027-28 FAFSA form, with a count of days to each date.
Short answer: California’s main date on the 2027-28 FAFSA form is March 2, 2027 (date postmarked) for many state financial aid programs, and Cal Grant also needs a school-certified GPA by that day. Additional community college Cal Grants have a second date, September 2, 2027. The federal deadline is June 30, 2028, so March 2 is the date to plan around.
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What the form says for California
The 2027-28 FAFSA form opens its deadline page with three rules. For federal aid, submit as early as possible but no earlier than October 1, 2026, and the Department of Education must receive the application by June 30, 2028. For state or college aid, the deadline may be as early as October 1, 2026, or aid may be awarded first come, first served. Unless a line says otherwise, the dates are when the form must be received. California’s line uses postmark dates.
| Program | Deadline text on the 2027-28 form |
|---|---|
| Many California state financial aid programs, including Cal Grant | March 2, 2027 (date postmarked). Cal Grant also requires a school-certified GPA submitted by March 2, 2027. |
| Additional community college Cal Grants | September 2, 2027 (date postmarked). |
| Noncitizens without a Social Security card, or with a DACA-issued one | Fill out the California Dream Act Application. |
What to file first
- File the FAFSA (or the California Dream Act Application if the form’s noncitizen line applies) so it is postmarked by March 2, 2027.
- Make sure your school-certified GPA reaches the California Student Aid Commission by the same March 2, 2027 date for Cal Grant.
- If you plan to start at a community college, note that the additional community college Cal Grant date is September 2, 2027.
- Ask your college’s financial aid office whether it has an earlier date for its own aid.
Worked example (real dates)
On November 2, 2026, Monday, March 2, 2027 is 120 days away and September 2, 2027 is 304 days away. The federal deadline of June 30, 2028 is 606 days out, which is why it is the wrong date to plan around for California aid. The March 2 date comes first, so it is the one to put on your calendar.
Method
The state text is copied from the form. The tool finds each calendar date in that text, leaves out “as soon as possible after October 1, 2026” because that is an opening date rather than a deadline, and counts calendar days from the date you pick, or from today in your browser. Nothing is sent to our servers. See the all-states table for other states.
What this does not cover
- Deadlines the form leaves to your college or state agency.
- Separate state or college applications, and any date set after the form was published.
- Postmark versus received rules for each program. Follow the California Student Aid Commission’s instructions.
- The 2026-27 form, whose dates are one year earlier.
The live schedule is on StudentAid.gov. Federal government publications are not under copyright (17 U.S.C. 105), so the form’s text is reproduced with attribution.
Sources
- Federal Student Aid: 2027-28 FAFSA Form (PDF), page 2 deadlines (retrieved November 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What is the California FAFSA deadline for 2027-28?
The form lists March 2, 2027 (date postmarked) for many state financial aid programs, and September 2, 2027 (date postmarked) for additional community college Cal Grants.
Is March 2 the Cal Grant deadline?
The form says Cal Grant also requires a school-certified GPA submitted by March 2, 2027. Both the application and the GPA are tied to that date.
What is the deadline for community college Cal Grants?
September 2, 2027 (date postmarked), for additional community college Cal Grants, per the 2027-28 form.
I am undocumented or have DACA. Which form do I file?
The form says noncitizens without a Social Security card, or with one issued through the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, fill out the California Dream Act Application instead of the FAFSA.
What is the federal FAFSA deadline for 2027-28?
June 30, 2028. The form says the Department of Education must receive the application by then, and no earlier than October 1, 2026 for federal aid. The California dates come first.
Does this page file or check my FAFSA?
No. It shows the deadline text printed on the form and counts days in your browser. Apply at fafsa.gov and, for Cal Grant, through the California Student Aid Commission.
Why does the page say 2027-28?
The 2027-28 form covers July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028 and opens October 1, 2026. Dates for the school year already under way are different.
Check the live schedule
State deadlines change and the form itself says some states refer you to their own sites. This page is an unofficial copy of the published 2027-28 form, not run by the U.S. Department of Education, and nothing you type is transmitted anywhere. Confirm every date with your state agency and college.