The U.S. Department of Education has announced a phased rollout for the 2025-26 form to apply for federal financial student aid, known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This new approach will make the application fully available two months later than usual, with the form gradually becoming accessible to students starting on October 1 and reaching full availability by December 1.
The decision to implement a phased rollout comes after the 2024-25 FAFSA form experienced challenges and glitches following its debut. The form underwent changes after the FAFSA Simplification Act was passed by Congress in late 2020. Issues such as failure to adjust for inflation, formula miscalculations, and tax data errors led to processing delays and frustration among students, families, and education leaders.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona acknowledged the challenges faced during the previous FAFSA cycle, attributing them to the need for modernization within the federal student aid department. Cardona emphasized the department’s commitment to addressing these issues and incorporating feedback from stakeholders to improve the application process.
Jeremy Singer, who leads FAFSA strategy within the Office of Federal Student Aid, outlined the phased rollout plan, which will involve testing with hundreds of students starting on October 1. Availability will then expand to thousands and eventually tens of thousands of students before opening to all applicants by December 1. This gradual approach aims to identify and resolve any potential issues before the form is fully accessible to everyone.
Senior department officials have assured that no financial aid determinations will be made before the system opens for all students in December. U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal highlighted the progress made in closing the gap in FAFSA submissions compared to the previous year, indicating a significant improvement in processing applications.
The Department of Education is inviting volunteers to participate in the testing period and will provide more information on how students and partners can get involved in the process. This phased rollout of the FAFSA application for the 2025-26 cycle reflects the department’s commitment to improving the student financial aid experience and ensuring a smoother application process for all applicants.
In conclusion, the phased rollout of the 2025-26 FAFSA form represents a proactive approach by the U.S. Department of Education to address past challenges and enhance the student financial aid application process. By incorporating feedback from stakeholders and implementing a gradual rollout plan, the department aims to improve the overall experience for students, families, and education institutions.
