When does FAFSA 2025-2026 open? Already filled out 2024-2025
Ok so I just spent like 3 hours filling out the FAFSA for 2024-25 (finally got through all the contributor issues!) and I'm wondering when I'll need to do all this again for 2025-26? My younger brother said something about them changing all the deadlines and I'm trying to plan ahead. Does anyone know when the application opens for the 2025-26 year? And will I need to do anything differently next time around?
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Maggie Martinez
The FAFSA for the 2025-2026 academic year should open on December 1, 2024. They've been using this timeline since the big FAFSA Simplification Act changes. For 2024-2025, they had delays and didn't open until December 31, 2023, but they're expecting to be back on schedule for the next cycle. As for differences, since you've already completed the 2024-2025 form with the new system, the 2025-2026 process should be fairly similar. You'll use your 2023 tax information again (the same tax year as this year's application), and the system should save some of your basic profile information. Just make sure you renew your FSA ID if it's expiring.
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Zane Gray
•Thanks! Do we really use 2023 tax info AGAIN for the 2025-26 form? That seems weird to use such old information.
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Alejandro Castro
Dec 1st is when its supposed to open but who knows with all the problems they keep having lol
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Monique Byrd
•Yeah, it's supposed to be December 1st, but I'd plan for delays. The FAFSA system has been a mess these past couple years with all the changes they're implementing. For the current cycle, they announced the December opening date, then pushed it back several times. I wouldn't be surprised if the same happens for 2025-2026. And yes, they are using 2023 tax info again for the 2025-2026 FAFSA. It's weird, but it's part of their new approach. They're calling it the "prior-prior year" method, where they use tax information from two years before the start of the academic year. So for 2025-2026, they use 2023 taxes.
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Jackie Martinez
Yep, December 1st should be the date! But for real tho, if u have trouble reaching anyone at Federal Student Aid when the application opens, try using Claimyr (claimyr.com). I was on hold for HOURS trying to get help with my contributor section when I filled out my fafsa this year, but Claimyr got me through to an actual human in like 15 minutes. They have a video that shows how it works: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ
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Lia Quinn
•Has anyone else used this service? I'm hesitant to try new things with something as important as my financial aid application...
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Haley Stokes
The FAFSA for 2025-2026 will open December 1, 2024. However, I strongly recommend waiting a few weeks after the opening date before completing it. Here's why: 1. The first few weeks typically reveal system glitches that FSA fixes in later updates 2. You'll avoid heavy traffic times when the system often crashes 3. Your application won't be processed any earlier by submitting on day one (many schools don't download FAFSA data until February/March) If your school's priority deadline is February or March, submitting in mid-January gives you the best balance of meeting deadlines while avoiding major system issues. And yes, as others mentioned, 2025-26 FAFSA will use 2023 tax info again. This is intentional - the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation now uses prior-prior year tax data for all aid years.
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Zane Gray
•Thanks for the detailed explanation! So should I expect the SAI to be the same since it's using the same tax year information? Or do they recalculate it each time?
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Asher Levin
omg its sooo annoying we have to do this every single year. i wish they would just let us submit once for all 4 years
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Serene Snow
•They make us do it every year because our financial situations change. Some people might qualify for more aid their sophomore or junior year if their family income drops. But I agree it's super annoying!!
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Zane Gray
So it sounds like I should mark my calendar for December but maybe plan to actually do the application in January? And I'll need my 2023 taxes again.
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Monique Byrd
•That's a good plan. Also, make sure your school doesn't have any early priority deadlines. Some schools have January deadlines for certain scholarship packages, so check with your financial aid office to confirm. Since you've already done the 2024-2025 FAFSA, the 2025-2026 one should be a bit easier. Your FSA ID will already be set up, and some of your basic info will carry over. You'll just need to update any income changes and review your contributor information. One other thing to remember: if your financial situation has changed dramatically since 2023 (like job loss or major medical expenses), you can submit an appeal for professional judgment to your school's financial aid office after you receive your aid package. They can adjust your aid based on your current situation, regardless of what the FAFSA shows based on 2023 taxes.
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