The full version of the 2025-2026 FAFSA® is now live and available, over a week ahead of schedule. Although students were able to complete their FAFSA during the beta phase over the last weeks, the full version is officially live. With the holidays approaching, you might be spending more time with family, making it an ideal opportunity to file your application.
FAFSA Deadlines
When dealing with the FAFSA, 3 primary deadlines are crucial: your state, school, and federal deadlines. Pay close attention to the earliest deadline, as it is the most critical. Many states distribute financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis, and some started their clock on October 1. Although the FAFSA might not have been available for all students on October 1, since the clock started it would be wise to begin the process as soon as possible.
You can find school-specific deadlines for financial applications on your institution's website. The federal deadline marks the end of the FAFSA cycle, falling on June 30, 2026.
Identify Your FAFSA Contributors
Now is the ideal time to identify your FAFSA Contributors. If you're an undergraduate student under 24, unmarried, and without children, you'll probably need to include your parents' information on your FAFSA. While this doesn't apply to everyone, it's important to consider. If you are married, your spouse may be a FAFSA Contributor on your application.
Be sure to consult our FAFSA Guide if you have any questions about your application.
Create Your FSA ID
If you're completing the FAFSA for the first time, you'll need to create a username and password to access the online application. This is known as your FSA ID. Setting up your FSA ID at StudentAid.gov is straightforward, but processing takes a few days.
If you have FAFSA Contributors that need to provide information on your application, they too will require an FSA ID. The U.S. Department of Education offers an excellent FSA ID Creation Guide to help navigate various scenarios you might encounter as a student or contributor.
While students must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens to qualify for federal student aid, the same requirement does not apply to parents or spouses providing information on your FAFSA. If your parent or any other FAFSA Contributor lacks a Social Security Number (SSN), there are helpful steps outlined in Federal Student Aid's FSA ID Creation Guide for them to create their FSA ID.
FAFSA the Application
The FAFSA serves as your application for federal student aid, along with some state and institutional aid. Once you complete your FAFSA, you will receive a FAFSA Submission Summary via email after processing. This summary will detail your Student Aid Index (SAI) and provide an estimate of your federal aid eligibility. Keep in mind, the application itself does not grant immediate financial aid. The school you choose to attend will issue your financial aid award letter, outlining the aid you qualify for in the upcoming academic year.
MORE>>>When Will I Get My Financial Aid?
Federal Tax Information Transfer Consent
For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, you and all your FAFSA contributors must consent to have your federal tax information transferred from the IRS. This requirement applies even if you did not file taxes in 2023. Without this consent, the student will be ineligible for federal student aid.
Don’t Wait Too Long
With the 2025-2026 FAFSA now open, there's no reason to delay completing it. Waiting until the last minute is not recommended, as encountering issues could jeopardize meeting state or school deadlines.
If the process feels overwhelming, wouldn't it be better to tackle it now and get it out of the way? For a preview, explore our walkthrough of the 2025-2026 FAFSA application. If you've completed the 2024-2025 FAFSA, expect minimal changes from last year's application. Extensive testing has been conducted on the latest application to address previous bugs and glitches, and you should be optimistic that the process will be a smoother experience for students.