Press Release: FAFSA for 2025-26 Now Available Amid Legislative Changes
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Education announced on Thursday that the application for federal student aid for the 2025-26 academic year is now accessible to all students and families. This phased rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) aimed to mitigate issues observed in previous years before opening the application to the broader public.
The department successfully launched the FAFSA ten days ahead of its December 1 deadline, despite the application becoming available approximately two months later than the standard October 1 start date. This staggered approach involved multiple testing rounds, during which over 167,000 submissions were collected to identify and rectify potential problems.
In parallel, a bipartisan bill ensuring the FAFSA is consistently available by October 1 each year has passed both the House and Senate and awaits President Joe Biden’s signature. While the White House has yet to comment on the legislation, senior officials at the Department of Education have stated their commitment to launching the 2026-27 FAFSA by the anticipated date.
The decision for a phased rollout stemmed from significant challenges encountered with the 2024-25 FAFSA, which had undergone changes following the FAFSA Simplification Act in 2020. This previous version faced technical glitches and processing delays, leading to widespread frustration among applicants.
U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona remarked on the department’s commitment to addressing these issues, emphasizing an overhaul at the Office of Federal Student Aid. Enhanced accountability measures and increased technical support were implemented, following extensive consultation with various stakeholders, including parents, students, and educational organizations. This collaborative approach aims to facilitate a smoother experience for future FAFSA applicants.
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