Round-up: 2025 FAFSA Form Opening Delayed for Most Students

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be released on October 1, 2025, but only for a limited number of students and institutions who will “test” the form and provide feedback, the Department of Education announced Wednesday.  The Department intends to fully open the 2025 form by December 1.  The phased approach will allow for testing and evaluation of the form and the processing system with a limited number of applications before opening to an estimated 17 million potential students.

The phased approach follows a year in which the Department botched the launch of a revised FAFSA form in fall 2024.  The form did not fully open until December 30 and the Department has struggled to process data and provide results to colleges and universities.  The FAFSA delays have significantly impacted financial aid packaging on campuses across the country and discouraged some potential students from enrolling in college.

U.S. Department of Education Announces Schedule and New Process to Launch 2025-26 FAFSA Form (August 7, 2024)

Education Department Delays FAFSA Launch for Most Students
Inside Higher Ed (August 8, 2024)

New Study Finds Students and Families Frustrated With FAFSA, Borrowing More
Inside Higher Ed (August 8, 2024)

FAFSA Will Open by December 1 After ‘Phased Rollout’
The Chronicle of Higher Education (August 8, 2024)

Education Department: 2025-26 FAFSA to Fully Debut by Dec. 1
Higher Ed Dive (August 8, 2024)

After Botched Rollout, FAFSA Is Delayed for a Second Year
The New York Times (August 8, 2024)

Next FAFSA Will Be Released in Phases, Education Department Says
The Washington Post (August 8, 2024)

When Does the Next FAFSA Open? Expect Delays – Again.
USA Today (August 8, 2024)

The Rollout for the Updated FAFSA Application Has Been Delayed — Again
NPR.org (August 8, 2024)

Education Department Delays Release of Financial Aid Form — Again
Politico.com (August 8, 2024)