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Takeaways from the Key Notes
- The Department of Education announced the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (2025-26) on November 21, more than a full week before it was originally scheduled.
- The department tested the form for several weeks with students and then released it, with some changes from the previous year.
- It has also increased significantly the number of staff dedicated to student assistance and stated that it will process online applications within one to three business days.
The Department of Education has released earlier than expected the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (2025-2026) after a complex and lengthy launch in the previous year.
Students may begin the FAFSA now, and can send information about themselves to as many colleges as they wish to find out how much aid is available to them for 2025-2026. It was originally planned to launch the FAFSA application by Dec. 1, but it opened on Nov. 21 following a test with students.
Here's some information to keep in mind as you fill out the student aid paperwork.
What’s new with the form?
As a result, last year the FAFSA Simplification Act reorganized the whole system to help make it easier for students who are low-income to apply for aid and increase their chances of receiving more.
This overhaul introduced many formulas and new terms, which caused the launch to be delayed and made the process of applying for college more complicated. In order to avoid any delays, this year the Department of Education has made a number of changes that will simplify and streamline the FAFSA.
There is now a "Who's My FAFSA Parent?" The tool helps dependent students determine who must contribute. Contributor was a term introduced on the 2024-25 FAFSA form and refers to a dependent student's biological or adoptive parents or parent’s spouse.
Students will be able to use this tool to determine who needs to give their information, and if they consent to having their Federal Tax Information transferred into their FAFSA Form.
A page will also show up if a student's or their parents' information was successfully matched with IRS records to ease the transfer of tax information.
In addition, the label "Student Other Circumstances" was changed to "Student Homelessness" for students who are unsheltered.
There will also be a confirmation window for students who select "Yes" to have their school determine their eligibility for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan only and no other federal student aid.
Why does the FAFSA start early?
In order to prevent the long delays of last year, departmental staff began working on forms as early as possible.
Students tested the form seven weeks prior to its release this year in order to avoid any major delays. The Department completed the testing and adjustments earlier than originally planned.
"After months of hard work and lots of feedback from students, schools, and other stakeholders, we can say with confidence that FAFSA is working," Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education, said in a statement.
Students who begin in spring or summer will have the chance to receive federal financial aid. The FAFSA deadline is June 30th, 2026. Students should consider their state of residence and where they plan to attend college, because these deadlines tend to be earlier.
Students are also advised to complete their forms sooner than later as federal financial assistance is based on first come, first served.
FAFSA Deadline Act has been unanimously passed by both the House and Senate. This act mandates that the Department of Education make this form available to students by October 1 each year.
When will I get an answer regarding my Aid?
According to the department, this year online forms will be processed within one to three business days and paper applications should take between seven and ten working days.
You can always check on the Federal Student Aid site to see the current status of your form. The FAFSA will then be forwarded to all the colleges you have listed.
Last year, the department had to push back the date on which they would give colleges the students' financial aid information until early March when it typically sent information in October as soon as applications opened.
Since January, 700 new agents were added to the Federal Student Aid Information Center. They can help families complete the application.
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