When to apply for FAFSA 2025-2026 for my current college freshman?

The 2025-2026 FAFSA application opens on December 1, 2024. I'd recommend applying as soon as possible after it opens since some aid is first-come, first-served. You don't need to wait for your 2024 taxes - the 2025-2026 FAFSA will use your 2023 tax information (from the taxes you filed in 2024). This is called prior-prior year reporting. For continuing students, the process is the same, but your son will use his FSA ID to log in rather than creating a new account. Brooklyn College might have their own priority deadline, so check their financial aid website too!

i aplied late for my daughters sophmore year and we got WAY less $$ than freshman year. dont wait!!

I work in college financial aid, and here's what I recommend: 1. Apply as soon as the FAFSA opens (Dec 1, 2024) 2. Check Brooklyn College's priority deadline - CUNY schools often have earlier internal deadlines for certain aid programs 3. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when possible 4. Make sure your son's SAI (Student Aid Index) from this year's FAFSA is correct before applying for next year 5. Complete the NYS TAP application right after FAFSA (New York residents) Continuing students don't get preference in the process, but they're often more familiar with deadlines which can help them get aid distributed on a first-come basis.

The entire FAFSA system is RIGGED against middle class families!!! We made $5000 more last year and our SAI jumped by $8000!! My son qualifies for NOTHING but loans now. And the ridiculous new FAFSA is HORRIBLE - it crashed twice when I tried to add my spouse's information. Then they put us on VERIFICATION!! Complete waste of time.

When my daughter was a sophomore I forgot to reapply until May and wow that was a disaster. I spent weeks trying to call Federal Student Aid about why her application wasn't being processed and couldn't get through to anyone. The hold times were insane and I kept getting disconnected. Finally used Claimyr.com to get through to them and resolved it in one call. They have a service that calls FSA for you and connects when an agent is on the line. Saved me hours of frustration. Here's their demo video if you need it later: https://youtu.be/TbC8dZQWYNQ

I'm going through this exact process right now for my sophomore and I wanted to add that you should also check if Brooklyn College requires the CSS Profile in addition to FAFSA. Many schools use both for their institutional aid. The CSS Profile usually opens October 1st and has more detailed financial questions. It's not free like FAFSA, but fee waivers are available based on income. Also, something many parents don't realize is that you need to reapply for FAFSA EVERY year! I thought it was a one-time thing freshman year and almost missed the deadline for sophomore year.

i'm just wondering... does anyone know if the parent contribution gets split between multiple kids in college? my youngest starts next year so both my kids will be in college at the same time

my son got more money sophomore year than freshman! we applied in december right when it opened and he got grants he didnt get first year. definitely do it early!!!