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The Aid Window

FAFSA 2027-28 · Texas

Texas FAFSA deadlineJan 15, 2027

Texas sets January 15 as the state priority deadline for FAFSA and TASFA applicants who want priority consideration for limited state financial aid. Applying by this date does not guarantee an award, and you can still apply after it — but state funds are limited, so earlier is better.

View key dates

Texas: 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 January 15, 2027

    One form covers federal aid and Texas state aid. Filing by January 15 gives you priority consideration for limited Texas funds — it does not guarantee an award, and you can still file later.

    Start the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov →

  3. 3

    Not eligible for federal aid? File the TASFA instead

    Texas residents who cannot apply for federal aid use the TASFA for state aid. The same January 15 priority date applies.

    TASFA — Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board →

  4. 4

    Check college dates, then set a filing reminder

    Your real deadline is the earliest of: Texas's January 15 priority date, or any earlier date a college on your list sets for its own aid. 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 or TASFA, submit it, and confirm each college on your list got it. Then you're done until aid offers arrive.

    Open the FAFSA →Open the TASFA →

Key dates

October 1, 2026ThursdayFAFSA opened
January 15, 2027FridayTexas state priority deadline
June 30, 2028FridayFederal FAFSA deadline
Date varies by schoolCollege deadlines

What Texas applicants need to know

  • Use the TASFA instead of the FAFSA if you are a Texas resident who is not eligible to apply for federal aid — the same January 15 priority date applies.
  • Check each college on your list: Texas schools may set their own priority dates and define what 'meeting' the deadline means (submitted, received, or complete).
  • Meeting the deadline gives you priority consideration only. It does not guarantee state funding.

Watch out

January 15 is the earliest major state priority deadline in the country. If your family is also applying in other states, Texas drives your whole FAFSA timeline.

Sources — checked 2026-10-21

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/texas (checked 2026-10-21).

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