FAFSA

Two years ago, the FAFSA got its first major overhaul in 40 years to streamline the application process and make it easier for more students to complete it.  For families who completed the FAFSA with students last year we know there were many challenges in submitting.  The Federal Student Aid program has done extensive Beta testing of the application this fall and hope all families experience completing the FAFSA will be better this School year. 

Here are a few things to know about the new 26-27 Better FAFSA for those who completed the FAFSA in prior years:

1. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opened October 1, 2025.
2. Beginning in August, all users who create a StudentAid.gov account with a Social Security number (SSN) will have their accounts verified immediately, instead of the current one-to-three day waiting period.
3. Students completing a 2026–27 FAFSA form will be able to invite a parent or spouse as a contributor simply by entering their email—instead of asking students for a contributor’s personally identifiable information—which will generate a unique, non-case sensitive code.
4. Both students and their parent(s) or guardian(s) must complete the FAFSA and consent to have their tax return information pulled.
5. Financial information will be pulled directly from the IRS so having your taxes in order is more important than ever.
6. More families will be eligible for the Pell Grant, but previous factors like having multiple children in college will no longer be considered.

You can learn more about the Better FAFSA at https://studentaid.gov/

On the Better FAFSA a new term you will encounter is Contributor.