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The 2026–27 FAFSA is almost here! While it will look similar to last year’s, a few important changes are worth knowing. Here’s a quick rundown of what to expect this year and tips to help students navigate the process so they can access the financial aid they deserve.

 What You Need to Know About the FAFSA Launch

1. The FAFSA will launch on October 1
   The 2026–27 FAFSA will be available on time, starting October 1, for everyone who needs to apply. Encourage your students to get ready now by gathering required information, creating their StudentAid.gov accounts, and, if they are dependent, talking with their parent(s) about the details they will need to provide. Our 2026–27 FAFSA Checklist can help students gather the right information ahead of time.

2. The Beta testing of the FAFSA has already started
   To help ensure a smooth October 1 launch, the 2026–27 FAFSA is going through beta testing. The first round has already been completed, and a second round is currently available to more participants. Students can request to participate through StudentAid.gov. If selected, they’ll be able to complete and submit the FAFSA before October 1, and it will count as their official FAFSA.
   
   For students who complete the FAFSA during beta, we recommend double-checking that it is processed correctly by reviewing their FAFSA Submission Summary and confirming in the fall that all of their colleges appear on their FAFSA college list.

What You Need to Know About Changes to the FAFSA Form and Process

3. Real-time StudentAid.gov account authentication
   New StudentAid.gov accounts (FSA IDs) will now verify in real time with the Social Security Administration (SSA). This removes the wait time to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) when completing the FAFSA. If the account doesn’t match immediately, users will need to correct their information to match SSA records before starting or contributing to the FAFSA.

4. The contributor invite process is simplified
   Inviting a contributor is now easier. Students only need the contributor’s email address. The FAFSA generates a code (example: 7NDNUKA) and emails the invitation. Contributors enter the code to link their information to the student’s FAFSA. This step now happens just before the student reviews and signs their section, creating a smoother process.

5. Small businesses and family farms are exempt again
   Small businesses with 100 or fewer employees, family farms where the student’s family lives, and family-owned commercial fishing businesses do not need to be reported as assets. This change can lower the Student Aid Index (SAI) for affected students and increase their eligibility for financial aid compared with prior years.

Other FAFSA Updates You Should Know 

6. Manual identity verification for contributors without Social Security numbers is still waived.
   There’s no new update on manual identity verification for parent contributors without SSNs. When creating StudentAid.gov accounts, contributors can use them immediately without submitting extra documentation.

7. We expect the FAFSA to work
   The FAFSA has improved a lot in recent years. For example, NCAN’s FAFSA tracker shows a 15% national increase in completions for 2025–26. With the updates to the parent invite process and StudentAid.gov accounts, we expect even more students and families to have a smoother experience completing the 2026–27 FAFSA.

You’re not alone in supporting students and families through the FAFSA process, uAspire is here to help! Check out our updated FSA ID guide and 26-27 FAFSA checklist, both ready to share. We’re also updating all of our FAFSA help videos on our YouTube page to reflect the latest changes. Plus, our calendar of free events for practitioners, students, and families is continuously refreshed with new opportunities to learn and connect. Together, we can make sure students have the guidance and resources they need to access the financial aid they deserve.

 *Photo by Allison Shelley/Complete College Photo Library