The U.S. Department of Education recently provided more information on the upcoming rollout of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the year 2025-26. This announcement comes in response to the challenges encountered during the previous year’s college aid application cycle. The new FAFSA will undergo beta testing with limited groups of students starting on Oct. 1, before being made available to all students and contributors on or before Dec. 1.
Despite the Education Department’s efforts to uncover and address issues with the FAFSA form during the beta testing phase, concerns have been raised by experts in the field. Higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz is skeptical that the two-month testing period will be sufficient to implement necessary changes. He emphasizes the need for proper planning to avoid chaos, especially considering the significant impact of financial aid on college costs, which are currently approaching $100,000 per year.
The FAFSA serves as the gateway to federal aid money, including student loans, work-study programs, and grants that do not require repayment. Due to issues with the new form, students are increasingly relying on loans to cover college expenses. The share of parents taking out federal parent PLUS loans has also risen, highlighting the importance of ensuring that the FAFSA is fully functional for the upcoming academic year.
Submitting a FAFSA has been identified as one of the best predictors of whether a high school senior will pursue higher education. Students who complete the FAFSA are significantly more likely to enroll in college directly after high school, emphasizing the need to enhance completion rates to ensure more students can access financial aid, such as Pell Grants, and continue their education beyond high school.
While the phased rollout and beta testing of the 2025-26 FAFSA represent critical steps in addressing issues with the application process, experts emphasize the importance of thorough testing and planning to avoid potential problems. Beth Maglione from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators supports end-to-end testing to ensure that the product released on Dec. 1 meets the needs of students, families, and schools. Elizabeth Morgan of the National College Attainment Network underscores the significance of increasing FAFSA completion rates to facilitate access to financial aid and promote continued education.
The rollout of the 2025-26 FAFSA presents an opportunity to address challenges with the application process and enhance access to financial aid for students and families. While the beta testing phase aims to identify and rectify issues before the form is widely available, it is essential to prioritize thorough testing, planning, and implementation to ensure the effectiveness and functionality of the FAFSA. By enhancing completion rates and streamlining the application process, more students can benefit from financial aid opportunities and pursue higher education beyond high school.