The U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed legislation that mandates an October 1 release date for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), tightening the timeline for the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to launch the form and respond to criticisms of prior rollouts. [Politico Pro, subscription model]
The vote came as the department announced earlier this week that the 2025–26 FAFSA will be available to all students earlier than expected as the agency expands online beta testing to all users later this month. [USA Today]
Why it matters: FAFSA is critical for millions of students seeking financial aid. This year’s early and phased release is part of rebuilding trust after the delayed and flawed 2023–24 application cycle. Poor communication, technical glitches, and staffing issues last year led to an 8.8% drop in completed applications.
Driving the News
- Officials anticipate the form will be widely available by November 22, ahead of the December 1 deadline. Over 14,000 students have already submitted FAFSA forms during beta testing, with successful processing by colleges and state agencies.
- This rollout strategy addresses concerns outlined in a Government Accountability Office report highlighting missteps in the prior cycle, including understaffed call centers and delayed processing for students needing manual verification.
What they’re saying: “We are in a radically different and better place than last cycle,” said Jeremy Singer, the executive leading this year’s launch. The department has committed to ensuring the form is fully functional upon release. [Inside Higher Ed]
What’s next: The department’s transparency and operational improvements, including expanded call center support, are aimed at preventing the kind of enrollment declines and logistical hurdles seen last year. This updated launch timeline gives families and colleges more time than expected to navigate the financial aid process. Congress aims to finalize the FAFSA deadline bill by 2025, aligning reforms with broader efforts to simplify financial aid access.
