The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced that the FAFSA for the 2025-26 academic year will be available on December 1, 2024. This release will include all necessary tools and resources, and FAFSA processing will happen within one to three days of submission.
To ensure the system works smoothly, FSA will begin testing the FAFSA in select locations starting in October. Students who submit the form during this testing phase will not need to resubmit. This early testing helps identify and fix any software issues, making sure the system is ready for everyone by December 1.
Although this is a later release date than usual, it allows time to ensure the form is fully functional and reliable. Announcing the timeline now helps schools and counselors plan FAFSA events and support students effectively.
We’ll keep you updated on any new developments. Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to December 1.