In November, the U.S. Department of Education released the 2025-26 FAFSA form. The online FAFSA form is available to all students and families at FAFSA.gov, and the US Department of Education (USDE) is processing submissions and sending them to schools. The paper form is also now available for students to submit.
The USDE has taken steps to modernize and address issues in the FAFSA system and put in place features that further enhance the user experience and improve functionality of the form. In addition, it has released and updated resources and materials to help students and families, as well as counselors and financial aid professionals, to better navigate the FAFSA form and process.
For those who need additional assistance, the USDE has made significant improvements, such as increased staffing and surge period extended hours, at the Federal Student Aid Information Center.
In the coming days and weeks, the USDE will carefully monitor the 2025-26 FAFSA form, as well as the contact center, and make any needed adjustments to improve the experience for students, families, and the financial aid community. In the coming months, the USDE will further enhance the user experience and release additional functionality, including batch corrections and paper corrections, to facilitate a smoother process for students, families, and institutions.
Stay tuned to StudentAid.gov, where the USDE will continue to share updates about the 2025-26 FAFSA cycle. We appreciate your partnership to help students and families complete the FAFSA form to access needed financial aid to pursue their higher education goals.