FAFSA Relief: Federal Student Aid Confirms 2026–27 Form Will Launch On Time

The U.S. Department of Education announced that the 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form will launch on Oct. 1, providing long-awaited relief for millions of students and families planning for college.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the department prioritized technical expertise to ensure a smooth rollout. "Under President Trump's leadership, our team has prioritized technical competence and expertise, which has led to the earliest testing launch of the FAFSA form in history," McMahon said. She added that the timely launch fulfills congressional requirements and provides certainty for students and families navigating financial aid.

McMahon also contrasted the current rollout with past challenges. "The Biden Administration failed the FAFSA rollout two years ago, leaving millions of American students and families without clear answers or a path forward in their educational journey," she said. On the administration's current commitment, she added, "Congress gave us a mandate to improve the form and deliver it on time for students, families, and institutions of higher education – and I am proud to certify that the form will launch on time this fall."

The FAFSA is a critical tool for accessing federal grants, student loans, and work-study funds. More than 17 million students typically file the form each year, with many states and colleges also using FAFSA data to determine their own aid awards.

Last year's delays created uncertainty for students, disrupted state deadlines, and left universities scrambling to provide financial aid packages on time. This year, the Department of Education says beta testing and technical improvements will prevent similar issues. "This year's beta testing has allowed FSA staff to identify bugs and technical issues, refine usability and design, and improve performance for the fall launch," the press release noted.

The Department of Education has been under pressure from lawmakers, higher education groups, and advocacy organizations to avoid a repeat of 2024's problems. Officials said FSA has tested the system more rigorously this year and streamlined the application process, which was redesigned to make it shorter and easier to complete.

Financial aid experts say families should still prepare early. Filing the FAFSA as soon as it opens gives students the best chance of qualifying for limited aid such as state grants and campus-based programs.

The Department of Education launched 'Beta 2,' where any current and aspiring student can request access to fill out the FAFSA at StudentAid.gov/joinbeta. The second phase of testing runs through September 2025.

More information about the FAFSA is available at FAFSA Central.