FAFSA 2025-2026 application timeline - When can parents of high school juniors start?

The FAFSA for the 2025-2026 academic year should open on December 1, 2024. They permanently shifted the opening date from October 1 to December 1 after the major FAFSA Simplification changes last year. You'll need tax information from 2023 (the "prior-prior year"). I'd recommend gathering your 2023 tax returns, W-2 forms, and records of any untaxed income. Also, both you and your son will need to create FSA IDs before you can complete the application.

Same boat! My daughter's a junior too and I'm already stressing about this stuff. My older kid went to college 5 years ago and everything seems different now.

The December 1 opening is the new standard going forward. You'll use a system called the Student Aid Index (SAI) rather than the old Expected Family Contribution (EFC). While you're waiting for the application to open, I suggest taking these steps: 1. Both you and your son should create FSA IDs now at studentaid.gov 2. Gather your 2023 tax returns and W-2s 3. Make a list of the schools your son might apply to (you can list up to 10 on FAFSA) 4. Check if any potential schools also require the CSS Profile (many private schools do) 5. Look up priority financial aid deadlines for potential schools Some colleges have adjusted their financial aid deadlines to account for the later FAFSA opening, but not all have. Check each school's financial aid website for their specific deadlines.

weve been tring to reach someone at federal student aid to ask questison about this for WEEKS and cant get through. the website says 'call back later' every single time. beyond frustrating. every time you call them its like a 2+ hour wait and half the time you get disconnected anyway.

PARENTS BEWARE!! The new FAFSA screwed so many families this year with the changes. They completely changed how they calculate aid and tons of middle-class families got WAY less than expected. The SAI system is NOT the same as the old EFC - they count assets differently and the formulas changed. Start saving extra NOW because you might not get what you expect!!

You can definitely submit college applications before completing the FAFSA. The two processes are separate, though some schools might have financial aid priority deadlines that are near their application deadlines. One important tip: Start checking now whether your son is considered a dependent or independent student according to FAFSA rules. Most high school students entering college are dependents, but there are exceptions. This status significantly impacts aid calculations.

my daughters school is doing a FAFSA workshop for parents in October might want to see if your sons school does something similar? it was really helpful for us last time with all the confusing stuff about reporting assets and income

Just wanted to add one more thing that helped us - create a checklist or spreadsheet now to track all the different schools your son is considering and their specific financial aid requirements and deadlines. Some schools require additional forms like CSS Profile, institutional aid applications, or scholarship applications with earlier deadlines than the FAFSA. Having everything organized in one place made the whole process much less stressful when crunch time came. Also, don't forget to check if any schools he's interested in participate in state grant programs - those often have their own deadlines and requirements too!