Education Department Launches FAFSA Form Earlier Than Ever

The Department of Education has released the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) earlier than in previous years, a move intended to assist families grappling with the rising cost of higher education. This updated version, launched on studentaid.gov, is being promoted as the simplest iteration of the form to date.

Department officials stated that the simplified application, which takes an estimated 15 minutes to complete, features clearer language and removes jargon. It also allows students to invite contributors via text or email, aiming to streamline the process for families.

Under Secretary for Higher Education Nicholas Kent emphasized the importance of completing the form to access available financial aid. "We don't want students leaving money on the table," Kent said. "There's a lot of money out there in higher education. We want students to take advantage of it. And it starts with filling out the FAFSA form."

This early rollout follows the FAFSA Simplification Act of 2020, passed during the Trump administration, which mandated that the form be made available before the traditional Oct. 1 deadline. Last year, the form was released on Sept. 24. The 2020 act also expanded access to federal aid, including Pell Grants for low-income students.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated that the new form was redesigned with students and families in mind. The department argues that policies enacted by the Trump administration, such as loan limits from the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, have encouraged institutions to evaluate and potentially lower their costs.

Despite these efforts, a September 2025 Pew Research Center poll indicated that 60% of U.S. adults believe colleges and universities are not doing enough to keep tuition affordable. Experts note that while reforming college access has been a long-standing goal, the FAFSA simplification process has been gradual. Kyla Hurns, a higher education policy analyst at The Education Trust, highlighted that while a simplified FAFSA is crucial, ensuring Pell Grants keep pace with inflation is also vital for true postsecondary affordability.