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The Aid Window

FAFSA 2027-28 · Massachusetts

Massachusetts FAFSA deadlineMay 1, 2027

Massachusetts sets May 1 as the priority filing date for the FAFSA — or the MASFA for students who cannot file the FAFSA — to be considered for most state financial aid programs. Some programs publish separate dates in MASSAid; check Important Dates each year.

View key dates

Massachusetts: 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. (MASFA applicants follow OSFA account steps instead.)

    Create accounts at StudentAid.gov →

  2. 2

    File the FAFSA — or MASFA — by May 1, 2027

    Massachusetts priority filing for most state aid is May 1 (midnight Central time on the federal list). Use the FAFSA or, if you cannot file the FAFSA and qualify, the MASFA — not both.

    Start the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov →OSFA FAQ — when to apply →

  3. 3

    Open MASSAid and confirm program dates

    MASSGrant and other OSFA awards are tracked in MASSAid. Review Important Dates for any program-specific deadlines beyond the May 1 priority.

    OSFA Important Dates →OSFA for students →

  4. 4

    Check college dates, then set a filing reminder

    Your real deadline is the earliest of: Massachusetts's May 1 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 the FAFSA or MASFA, check MASSAid, and confirm each college on your list. Then you're done until aid offers arrive.

    Open the FAFSA →OSFA FAQ →

Key dates

October 1, 2026ThursdayFAFSA opened
May 1, 2027SaturdayMassachusetts state priority deadline
June 30, 2028FridayFederal FAFSA deadline
Date varies by schoolCollege deadlines

What Massachusetts applicants need to know

  • File the FAFSA if you are a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen. Students who cannot file the FAFSA and meet MA High School Completer rules use the MASFA instead — never both.
  • Create a MASSAid student portal account to track MASSGrant and other OSFA programs.
  • Colleges may set earlier institutional dates — confirm every school on your list.

Watch out

Filing both a FAFSA and a MASFA can delay Massachusetts processing — pick the one that matches your eligibility.

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/massachusetts (checked 2026-10-25).

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