2025-26 FAFSA for Fall 2025 students - which tax year to use?
I'm really confused about which FAFSA form to complete for my daughter who'll be starting college in Fall 2025. Do we need to fill out the 2025-26 FAFSA form? And if so, which tax return year do we use - is it the 2023 tax return? The whole prior-prior year tax thing always trips me up, and with all the FAFSA changes lately, I want to make sure we're using the correct information. Her top choice schools have early decision deadlines in November 2024, so I'm trying to get everything organized now. Thanks!
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Mila Walker
Yes, for students starting college in Fall 2025, you'll need to complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA which opens December 2024. And you're correct about using 2023 tax information! The FAFSA uses what's called "prior-prior year" tax data, which means for the 2025-2026 form, you'll use 2023 tax returns (from the tax season that just passed). This gives families time to have completed their taxes before applying for aid.
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Ethan Clark
•Thank you! That makes sense. So even though she's applying to colleges in Fall 2024 (for 2025 admission), we still wait until December 2024 when the new FAFSA opens? She can't submit her FAFSA earlier with the current form?
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Logan Scott
The previous answer is correct, but I want to add something important about early decision timelines. For schools with November 2024 early decision deadlines, they will understand that the 2025-2026 FAFSA won't be available yet. You'll submit your admissions application by their deadline, but the FAFSA submission will happen after it opens in December. Just make sure to submit it as soon as possible after it opens to be considered for the maximum aid at those schools.
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Ethan Clark
•This is SO helpful - I was worried about the timing gap. We'll focus on her applications now and then jump on the FAFSA as soon as it opens in December.
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Chloe Green
make sure you're ready when that FAFSA opens!! My son lost out on some grants last year because we waited till February... many schools have priority aid deadlines in January or early Feb!
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Ethan Clark
•Oh no! Thanks for the warning - we'll definitely submit right away in December.
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Lucas Adams
My kid is also starting fall 2025! We're using 2023 taxes like everyone said, but I'm wondering if I should start gathering other docs now? Does anyone know what else we need besides tax returns for the new FAFSA?
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Mila Walker
•Great question! For the 2025-26 FAFSA you'll need: FSA IDs for both student and one contributing parent, 2023 tax return info, records of untaxed income if applicable, current bank/investment statements (not including retirement accounts or your primary home), and a list of schools your student is applying to (up to 20). The new FAFSA automatically imports tax info if you use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool, which makes the process much smoother!
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Harper Hill
I HATE the timing of everything! Why do they make us wait until December when apps are due earlier?? And using 2023 taxes for 2025? My income changed a LOT since then because I lost my job. This system is completely broken and unfair to families with changing circumstances.
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Logan Scott
•You actually have an option if your financial situation has changed significantly. After submitting your FAFSA with 2023 data, contact each college's financial aid office directly to request a "Professional Judgment Review" or "Income Appeal." They can adjust your aid based on your current situation, but you'll need to provide documentation. Each school handles these differently, so reach out to them individually.
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Caden Nguyen
Anyone else having trouble getting through to the Federal Student Aid helpline? I've been trying to ask them a specific question about our 2023 tax situation (we had a one-time capital gain) and how it will affect the 2025-26 FAFSA, but I've been on hold forever or getting disconnected. Super frustrating when we're trying to plan ahead!
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Avery Flores
•Try using Claimyr - it saved me hours of hold time! They basically wait on hold with the Federal Student Aid office for you and call you back when an agent is on the line. I was skeptical but it actually worked really well when I had questions about how my divorce would affect my son's FAFSA. Their website is claimyr.com and they have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ
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Ethan Clark
One more question - my daughter might be applying to a few schools that also require the CSS Profile. Do we also use 2023 tax info for that as well?
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Mila Walker
•Yes, the CSS Profile also uses 2023 tax information for students entering college in Fall 2025. However, the CSS Profile is more detailed than the FAFSA and may ask additional questions about your finances, including home equity and retirement accounts that FAFSA doesn't consider. It's also available earlier than the FAFSA - the 2025-2026 CSS Profile typically opens around October 1, 2024. Check each school's financial aid deadline, as some may want the CSS Profile submitted by their early decision/action deadlines.
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Chloe Green
wait does anyone know if we need to create new fsa ids for the 2025 fafsa? my daughter already made one for a summer program but idk if we need new ones or can use the same one??
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Logan Scott
•You can use the same FSA ID from year to year - no need to create a new one. Just make sure both you and your daughter remember your login information. If you've forgotten the password, you can reset it on the studentaid.gov website. Also, double-check that both FSA IDs are still active by logging in before the FAFSA opens in December to avoid any last-minute technical issues.
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