While college can be expensive, you don’t have to handle the cost on your own. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 87% of first-time undergraduate students receive financial aid.
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is an essential step in applying for aid. For 2025, there are some changes to the FAFSA you should be aware of so you can qualify for the maximum amount of aid:
1. The FAFSA Will Be Available Sooner
In years past, the FAFSA for the upcoming academic year became available on October 1. But, for the past two years, there were significant delays, and the FAFSA wasn’t available until the end of the year. That delay caused substantial issues for colleges and students, since it also delayed financial aid.
The Trump Administration has criticized those delays, and has committed to launching the FAFSA on time. In fact, a proposed bill would ensure the FAFSA is available each year on October 1. As a consequence, students and their families can expect the FAFSA for the 2026-2027 academic year to launch on October 1, 2025.
2. It’s Shorter
If it’s been a few years since you completed the FAFSA, you may remember it as a long process. However, the FAFSA was changed for the 2024-2025 academic year, so it’s shorter and easier to complete. The number of questions was slashed from 108 to just 36, so it will take less time to finish.
3. FAFSA Deadlines May Vary
The FAFSA deadline varies based on the term you need aid, your state and your college.
- For the 2024-2025 FAFSA, you have until 11:59 p.m. CT on June 30, 2025.
- For the 2025-2026 FAFSA, you must submit it by 11:59 p.m. CT on June 30, 2026.
- States set their own deadlines, and some are quite early in the year. For example, in California, you must submit the FAFSA by March 3, 2025, for most forms of aid for the 2025-2026 academic year. Visit your state education agency for the latest details.
- Colleges and universities may have different deadlines than those set by the federal or state governments. Contact your school’s financial aid office to find out what the deadline is.
4. You Use 2023 Tax Year Information
The FAFSA is odd in that it uses your prior-prior year tax information, meaning your tax return is about two years old when you fill out the FAFSA.
For example, the 2025-2026 FAFSA uses the information from your 2023 tax return (the return you filed in April 2024).
If your finances have changed since then, submit the FAFSA with the required information. Then, contact the college financial aid office. You may be eligible for an account adjustment or other changes.
5. You Can Submit the FAFSA to More Schools
Previously, one hiccup with the FAFSA was the limit on how many schools you could apply to at one time. When you submitted the FAFSA, the form limited you to
However, the 2025-2026 FAFSA has been updated, and students can now apply to 20 colleges or universities. The higher count makes it easier for students to apply for financial aid and compare offers from several schools.
6. Changes to Gender
In February, the Trump Administration announced new information about the FAFSA and its process to streamline applications. During that announcement, the Department of Education also announced that current and future FAFSA forms will only have two gender options: male and female.
Previously, the FAFSA allowed students to choose “non-binary” or “prefer not to answer.” Starting with the 2026-2027 FAFSA, those options are gone, so students will have to choose between male or female.
7. The U.S. Department of Education Is Asking for Feedback
The government is soliciting comments from student borrowers, family members, educators and financial aid administrators. This is an opportunity to share your thoughts and issues with the FAFSA, and your insights can help shape changes to the future versions of the FAFSA.
Comments must be submitted by April 7, 2025.
Completing the FAFSA
Filling out and submitting the FAFSA is a critical part of the college application process. By completing the form, you could qualify for valuable financial aid, including grants and federal loans.
If you need help completing the form or if you have questions about the FAFSA, you can use the following resources for help:
