MorraLee Keller of the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), a college access nonprofit, said this year’s form looks much the same as last year’s, but the user experience is much improved.
“We have to spread a very positive message that we have put a lot of effort into making this system very different in 2025-2026 than it was last year, so everyone should We need to give this system a chance.”
The Department of Education is doing something different this time.
Completing the FAFSA is the only way college students can access federal financial aid and become eligible for grants, loans, and some scholarships. More than 17 million students fill out applications each year.
This form is typically available to all students on October 1st. But this year, the department began testing the form with a limited number of students and institutions. FAFSA Executive Advisor Jeremy Singer said in an August press release that the purpose of this testing period was to “identify problems with the FAFSA form before it becomes available to millions of students and their families.” The aim is to make changes and make corrections.
In addition to form glitches, students also had trouble reaching the FAFSA call center for help during the last FAFSA cycle. According to GAO, “nearly three-quarters of all calls to the call center” went unanswered during the first five months of the rollout. This time, the Ministry of Education plans to increase call center staffing by nearly 80% since January and extend the center’s operating hours.
“So far, the call center has been very successful,” U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvart told NPR. “At the current volume, people are answering calls very quickly.”
He warns that high call volumes may cause some latency, but believes it will be a smoother experience overall.
Beth Maglione, CEO and interim president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), said she has been closely monitoring the department’s inspection process and is pleased with the results. .
“Federal leaders have listened and taken to heart the lessons learned from last year’s difficult developments and used those lessons to chart a more stable path forward.”
So far, a painless process
Low-income students and students whose parents or spouses do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) (what GAO calls “mixed-status families”) were hit hardest by the last FAFSA troubled rollout. Ta. One of the challenges for mixed-status families was a glitch that prevented people without an SSN from filling out the form.
Throughout the beta testing period, Kvaal said, “we’ve made a number of changes to make the process easier for parents and spouses who don’t have a Social Security number. , that wasn’t necessarily possible six or eight months ago.”
At California State University, Los Angeles, where Cristina Martinez works, the majority of students are low-income, many from mixed-class families. Last year, most students encountered form issues, but this year is different, she said.
Martinez said the form includes more informative language to help students avoid mistakes. On average, she says, it takes students about 20 minutes to fill out the form, although the FAFSA website suggests it takes about an hour. (A checklist for application preparation is also posted on the website.)
NCAN’s Keller is excited about the improvements, but how will the new FAFSA system handle the increased filing volume now that the form has officially exited beta testing and opened to all families? He said he was looking forward to it.
Mr. Keller had one piece of advice for students and their families, and Mr. Martinez and Mr. Maglione agreed. That means filling out the FAFSA as soon as possible.
“Don’t wait. Hurry. Run the FAFSA as soon as possible,” says Keller. “We hope that by allowing students to begin the FAFSA in mid-November, they will receive their awards sooner, have more time to make decisions, and make better decisions.”
