2025–26 FAFSA form coming soon: What to know ahead of Dec. 1
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - The 2025–2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is being released two months later than usual, as the US Department of Education works to resolve any potential issues.
This comes after delays and tech issues plagued the rollout of last year’s revamped application.
Before making the new FAFSA form available to all students, the Department of Education announced it would be conducting multiple beta tests. This limited rollout began on Oct. 1, and since then, the Education Department said it is applying these applicants’ feedback.
The FAFSA form will soon be available to the public on Dec. 1, 2024.
Tips for Students Preparing To Fill Out the FAFSA Form
Students should do the following to prepare for filling out the FAFSA form:
- Create a StudentAid.gov account
- Have their documents ready
- Tax returns
- Records of child support received
- Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
- Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms
- Use the Who’s My FAFSA Parent? wizard to identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on their FAFSA form
- Have their contributor information ready
- First and last name
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Mailing address
Resources for Reference and Outreach
- 2025–26 FAFSA® Prototype
- Use the prototype to gain a deeper understanding of the 2025–26 FAFSA form user experience ahead of its release.
- 2025–26 FAFSA®Form Preview Presentation
- Presentation providing screenshots of the online FAFSA form, which you can use as you create your presentations for students and families.
- “FAFSA® Updates"
- Financial Aid Toolkit page providing counselors and college access mentors with the latest forms and information associated with the FAFSA process.
- StudentAid.gov/fafsasupport
- Announcement informing students and parents about 2025–26 FAFSA availability and resources. Send your students to this StudentAid.gov page, not to this Financial Aid Toolkit site.
- Am I a contributor on my child’s FAFSA® form? infographic
- Image to help parents determine whether they’ll be required to contribute information on their child’s FAFSA form.
Stay Informed
Follow Federal Student Aid on social media to receive up-to-date notifications and information.
Copyright 2024 KBTX. All rights reserved.
