2026 – 2027 FAFSA Application Launching Soon, Plus New Changes

After years of changes, delays, and setbacks, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is scheduled to release on time this year. The FAFSA application for the 2026 – 2027 academic year will become available to students on October 1, 2025.

New FAFSA Changes to Look For

While the FAFSA has undergone a major overhaul in the past few years, the Department of Education is still implementing smaller changes and improving the form based on feedback from students, parents, and administrators. First, you may get early access to the FAFSA if you live in a specific school district or are part of a college-access organization. The Department of Education is beta-testing the FAFSA, as they have done in years past, to fix any major issues or bugs before the hard launch on October 1. NOTE: These specially selected groups will not qualify for more aid just by completing the form earlier than others. Secondly, students will be able to invite parents and guardians to contribute to the form with a simplified invitation process. In the past, a unique ID was required, but now, students or parents will be able to send invitations to contributors via email. Finally, all users creating a new account using their Social Security Number will receive immediate verification. Previously, the process took one to three days to complete verification. For users who do not have an SSN, the original verification process will be required. Technically, the FAFSA has an 18-month application cycle, meaning you can qualify for federal student aid at any point during the school year as long as you submit the form before the federal deadline, which is June 30, 2027. However, many students depend on state aid to pay for college and wish to utilize federal funds as soon as possible during the school year. In that case, it’s best to have the form completed before your state’s deadline as well as before the school year begins. Furthermore, state and federal financial aid is often distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning late applications may result in no financial aid. When it comes to completing the FAFSA, it’s best to play it safe and submit the form as soon as it becomes available on October 1. This guarantees that you will meet state deadlines, and you’ll maximize your chances of qualifying for the most amount of financial aid for which you are eligible.

FAFSA Best Practices

The FAFSA has been simplified over the years, going from a paper form that required all answers be perfectly legible in black ink to prepopulated forms based on tax information from the IRS. As easy as it is to complete the FAFSA today, it’s still best to prepare for the form before it launches on October 1. This would include gathering all relevant passwords and paperwork to ensure you can input answers easily and correctly. Fastweb provides a comprehensive FAFSA checklist here. It cannot be stressed enough that students should complete the FAFSA as soon as it becomes available after October 1. Some states have strict deadlines, while others continue to award funds until they are depleted. Failing to fill out the form in a timely manner could result in no financial aid. To give yourself the best chance of maximizing your financial aid package, be ready to fill out and submit the form in October. Finally, chat with college admission officers about their financial aid process. They will use the information you provided on the FAFSA to determine your financial aid package. However, some schools require additional financial aid forms. These are typically quick financial questionnaires that gather more information than what may be asked for on the FAFSA. In doing so, they receive a more robust picture of your financial circumstances, allowing them to meet needs as best they can. For decades, the FAFSA has gotten a bad rap, but ultimately, the form exists to help students pay for college. When it becomes available in October, do your best to be prepared, fill out the form, and reach out for help as needed. Being on time and informed will help you achieve the best results. Need help on the FAFSA? Talk with your school counselor at your high school or a financial aid administrator at your college. You can also get help at studentaid.gov. They provide forms, booklets, and webinars to walk you through the process, and they also have financial aid experts that can email, chat, or talk with you over the phone.