Should I delete FAFSA draft or wait until October 2025-2026 release?

yep delete it. the old one wont transfer over to the new application & could cause confusion. start fresh in october

You should definitely wait until the October release for the 2025-2026 FAFSA application. Any work you've done on the current form won't transfer to the new form that will be released, so it's best to start fresh when the official application period opens. There's no harm in having created your FSA IDs early - that part is good! But the actual FAFSA application should be completed during the official application period starting in October. As for deleting the current application, you don't need to actively delete anything. Just don't submit it. When the new form is released, you'll simply start a new application. The system will recognize your FSA IDs, but the information will need to be entered fresh on the new form.

WAIT WAIT WAIT!!!! Is anybody else FREAKING OUT that we're all apparently going to have to use a BRAND NEW form this year??? Is it going to be completely different? What if they've changed the whole system? I'm already confused enough with the regular process and now they're changing everything????? Will our tax information from this year even work with the new form? I'm seriously panicking.

I went through this exact situation with my daughter last year. Here's what you need to know: 1. The FAFSA form gets refreshed each October for the upcoming academic year. What you're seeing now is last year's application. 2. Having your FSA IDs created early is actually great - that's one less step to worry about in October. 3. You don't need to formally delete anything. Just abandon what you've started and begin fresh when the new form is released. 4. The information you enter now won't transfer to the new application, so there's no point in continuing with the current form. 5. Make sure you have tax documents and asset information ready to go in October so you can submit early (some aid is first-come, first-served). The early preparation shows you're on top of things! Just redirect that energy toward gathering the financial documents you'll need in October.

My daughter and I did the same thing two years ago! Started early then realized we had to wait. The FSA IDs still worked fine when the new application opened. Just make sure you have your 2024 tax returns and W-2s ready for October. And get ready for the Parent Plus loan if your savings aren't huge - that was our biggest surprise when the SAI came back.

Wait until October! The system refreshes completely for the new academic year. Your FSA IDs are still valid (good job getting those early!), but any application information won't transfer. Pro tip: If you're trying to reach the Federal Student Aid helpline in October when you're working on the actual application (which can be SUPER frustrating with wait times), check out Claimyr.com. They helped me get through to a live agent in under 5 minutes when I was stuck on a verification issue last year. You can see how it works in their video demo: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ But for now, just gather your tax documents and wait for the October release. You're already ahead by having those FSA IDs ready!

Just to clarify some confusion I'm seeing in the comments: The FAFSA form is updated every year, but the 2025-2026 application will use the same streamlined system that was introduced last year. The changes aren't drastic year-to-year, so if you've done research on the current simplified FAFSA process, most of that information will still be relevant. The main things that change annually are: 1. The specific income protection allowances (which affect your SAI calculation) 2. Some of the exact questions and their order 3. Occasionally the verification requirements But the core process, the SAI formula structure, and the general approach remain consistent. So don't panic about massive changes - it's more of an annual refresh than a complete overhaul.

btw when october hits submit ASAP!! some schools have priority deadlines & some aid is first come first serve