FAFSA Application Update

On August 7, the Department announced that the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form will be launched through a new process.  Starting on October 1, the Department will release the 2025-26 FAFSA form for testing with a limited set of students and postsecondary institutions. The agency will make the FAFSA form available to all students on or before December 1.

This new process was informed by conversations and feedback from students, institutions, and other stakeholders and is consistent with software industry best practices.

The Department will invite volunteers to participate in the testing period, and, over time, make the form available to an increasing number of participants, starting with hundreds and expanding to tens of thousands of applicants.  This process will allow the agency to test and resolve issues before making the form available to all students and contributors.  Using this approach, the Department will implement full functionality -- submission, processing, and corrections -- at the same time.

A phased rollout will also allow the Department to incorporate user feedback to ensure the form’s instructions are clear and easy-to-use and provide resources for the community that support students and families.

Throughout the testing period, the agency will share regular updates with students, institutions, and stakeholders to make sure they clearly understand progress.  This will also boost confidence among students and families, institutions, state agencies, and other partners.

Furthermore, the Department will continue to seek feedback from stakeholders via listening sessions and a new formal request for information (comments due by September 13).  The agency will publish about what it has learned through these engagements, including releasing a new roadmap with additional tools for those planning for a successful 2025-26 FAFSA season.

You can access a Financial Aid Toolkit from the Federal Student Aid website HERE