2025-2026 FAFSA Updates

The 2025-2026 FAFSA Is Now Available

The Department of Education has announced that the 2025-2026 FAFSA is now available to complete for all student and families.

Submit Your FAFSA

What You'll Need to Fill Out The FAFSA

1. Your FSA ID

An FSA ID is a username used to apply on StudentAid.gov
Every contributor (anyone who's required to provide information on the FAFSA) must make their own FSA ID
To learn more about which parent is considered a contributor, use the Parent On The FAFSA Tool

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2. Gather Needed Documents

2023 tax records
Records of any child support received & current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms
Information to invite your contributors (Name, SSN, Date of Birth, & Email)

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3. Request Additional Help

Receive individualized assistance completing your FAFSA at our Financial Aid Saturday events
Visit the FAFSA^® Help page to find answers to common questions
Contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center by chat, email, or phone

Summary of Updates

FAFSA Release Date

The 2025-2026 FAFSA has been officially released as of November 21, 2024. This announcement occured 10 days ahead of the originally scheduled launch date.

Creating an FSA ID and Completing a FAFSA at the Same Time

The Department enabled changes to their system that allows a newly created FSA ID to be used to complete a FAFSA immediately without waiting for validation of the account.

While identity validation must still occur to make FAFSA corrections and to view your studentaid.gov account information, the FAFSA may be completed before that takes place.

Release of Online Tool: Who Counts As A Parent On the FAFSA?

A new online tool released by the U.S. Department of Education helps determine which parent(s) should participate in a dependent student's FAFSA, by answering a series of dynamically displayed questions.

Who Counts As A Parent On the FAFSA? Tool

Other FAFSA Form Changes

Improved help text with guidance for users throughout the application.
If a student selects "Yes" to have their school determine their eligibility for a "Direct Unsubsidized Loan only", and then selects "Continue", a pop-up window appears warns the student that they will not be eligible for most federal student aid.
A new page confirms if student, spouse, or parent information was successfully matched with IRS records to import federal tax information.
All contributors are no longer required to re-sign if a different contributor updates their data later.
The label for the question relating to homelessness status changed from "Student Other Circumstances" to "Student Homelessness."

Quick Links

Student Resources

Creating An FSA ID	SAI and Pell Estimator Tool
Filling Out The FAFSA	Alamo FAFSA Saturdays
Checking Your FAFSA Form Status	Alamo FAFSA School Codes

Video Resources

Determining FAFSA Contributors

All Contributors Need An FSA ID

Providing Consent On The FAFSA

Advisor and School Counselor Resources

2526 FAFSA Preview Presentation

2526 FAFSA Prototype

Financial Aid Timeline

Dates	Events
November 21^st 2024	The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2025-2026 officially launched.
December 2024 - May 2025	Our Student Financial Aid office will offer hands-on-help to complete the FAFSA or TASFA at our Financial Aid Saturday events.
January 2025	Our Student Financial Aid Office will began to process your FAFSA information and update your ACES account with any outstanding requirements.
Spring 2025	Our Student Financial Aid Office will provide you your financial aid award offers for Fall 2025-Spring 2026.