Next year’s FAFSA will be available in December, behind schedule, but hopefully ready for prime time

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Next Year’s FAFSA Available in December: Avoiding Last Year’s Pitfalls

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process for the 2024-2025 school year was plagued by constant setbacks, errors, and delays. As a result, a large number of students were discouraged from applying, leaving money for their college experience on the table.

The revamped FAFSA was designed to be more accessible for students and their families, but the rollout was plagued by problems. The Department of Education has promised to improve the rollout for the 2025-2026 year, and they have held listening sessions and will attempt to post a fully functional application by December 1 for the 2025-2026 year, with availability in small batches to select groups beginning in October.

What Went Wrong with the Last FAFSA Rollout?

  • The FAFSA form was redesigned for the first time in 40 years, and the new design was confusing and difficult to navigate.
  • The form was not properly tested before it was released to the public, and this led to numerous errors and delays.
  • The Department of Education did not provide adequate support to students and families who were trying to complete the FAFSA form.

What Changes are Being Made for the 2025-2026 FAFSA?

  • The FAFSA form will be redesigned again, and the new design will be based on feedback from students, families, and college counselors.
  • The form will be thoroughly tested before it is released to the public.
  • The Department of Education will provide more support to students and families who are trying to complete the FAFSA form.

What Students and Families Can Do to Prepare for the 2025-2026 FAFSA

  • Learn about the changes that are being made to the FAFSA form.
  • Gather the information that you will need to complete the FAFSA form, such as your Social Security number, tax returns, and bank statements.
  • Start working on the FAFSA form as soon as it becomes available.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. There are many resources available to help students and families complete the FAFSA form.

Conclusion

The FAFSA is an important form for students who are planning to attend college. It is important to understand the changes that are being made to the FAFSA form for the 2025-2026 school year and to start preparing for the application process early. By doing so, you can avoid the problems that many students and families experienced during the 2024-2025 FAFSA application process.

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