The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now available for all students to complete.
The availability of the FAFSA – a week ahead of the official release date of October 1 – is what the Department of Education (ED) said is the earliest launch of the FAFSA in the program’s history.
In a September 24, 2025 press release, ED announced that the 2026-27 FAFSA is online and now available for students and families to complete.
“I am extremely proud to announce the earliest launch of the FAFSA form in history, which ensures American students and families have access to critical resources as they begin or continue their postsecondary education journey,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
After an earlier mandate by Congress to ensure the launch of the FAFSA by October 1 of each year, ED has been committed to ensuring an on-time FAFSA experience for students, families and college-access partners while giving schools and states the information they need to support their students.
In the announcement, the Department said the 2026-27 FAFSA includes several updates designed to improve the user experience, including:
- Redesigned Contribute Invite Process – Students can now invite their parents or contributor to complete their portion of the FAFSA with a simple code.
- Instant Verification for New StudentAid.gov Accounts – Students and parents now receive faster account confirmation, reducing delays and frustration.
- Industry-Leading Best Practices – Enhancements ensure students have access to the best tools and resources. Colleges and universities receive more accurate data and stronger protection against fraud and abuse.
The 2026-27 FAFSA has been in beta testing since August 3 and, as of September 23, the Federal Student Aid data indicated it was ready for all users to complete. According to user feedback, 97% of respondents were satisfied with the FAFSA form and 90% of respondents said it took a reasonable amount of time to complete.
