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The Aid Window

FAFSA 2027-28 · Louisiana

Louisiana FAFSA deadlineFeb 1, 2027

Louisiana recommends filing the FAFSA by February 1, 2027 for timely TOPS processing and priority consideration for state and institutional aid. The federal form stays open longer, but LOSFA treats February 1 of senior year as the priority filing target — and TOPS has a separate final application rule tied to graduation anniversary.

View key dates

Louisiana: what to do, step by step

  1. 1

    Create StudentAid.gov accounts — student and parent

    The student and one parent each need their own account to sign the FAFSA. Identity verification can take a few days, so do this first.

    Create accounts at StudentAid.gov →

  2. 2

    File the FAFSA by February 1, 2027

    Aim for February 1 for priority consideration and timely TOPS processing. One FAFSA covers federal aid, TOPS (as one application path), and programs such as GO Grant.

    Start the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov →

  3. 3

    Confirm TOPS / state aid status with LOSFA

    Use LOSFA resources to confirm your application path. If you cannot file for federal grant aid, the TOPS Online Application may apply — otherwise the FAFSA is the usual route.

    Completing the FAFSA — LOSFA →TOPS Application Process — LOSFA →

  4. 4

    Check college dates, then set a filing reminder

    Your real deadline is the earliest of: Louisiana's February 1 recommended priority date, or any earlier date a college on your list sets. Set a reminder for that date now — email or calendar — so you get nudged before it hits.

    Add to Google Calendar Download .ics

    .ics includes state + federal deadlines with 30 / 14 / 7-day reminders.

  5. 5

    When a reminder arrives: finish filing

    That email or calendar alert means the deadline is close. Finish (or fix) your FAFSA, submit it, and confirm each college on your list got it. Then you're done until aid offers arrive.

    Open the FAFSA →LOSFA FAFSA page →

Key dates

October 1, 2026ThursdayFAFSA opened
February 1, 2027MondayLouisiana recommended FAFSA priority date
June 30, 2028FridayFederal FAFSA deadline
Date varies by schoolCollege deadlines

What Louisiana applicants need to know

  • February 1 is a recommended / priority date, not the absolute last day for every Louisiana program. File early so LOSFA can process TOPS and you have time to fix errors.
  • TOPS can also use the TOPS Online Application if you do not qualify for federal grant aid — but the FAFSA covers TOPS plus GO Grant and federal aid in one step.
  • Check each college on your list: schools may set earlier institutional dates for their own packages.

Watch out

Do not wait for the federal June 30, 2028 date. Louisiana's February 1 recommendation is the date that protects timely TOPS processing and state/institutional priority.

Sources — checked 2026-10-25

Deadlines can change (some states have extended dates in past years). If an official source disagrees with this page, the official source wins — and please tell us via our data page. Cite this page: Source: The Aid Window, aidwindow.com/louisiana (checked 2026-10-25).

Applying in another state too? See all verified deadlines by state or the FAFSA 101 guide.