Update on 2024-25 FAFSA Upgrades (including corrections); Launch Details for 2025-26

In a recent electronic announcement, the Department of Education has outlined a number of updates that will impact the 2024-25 and 2025-26 FAFSA forms in the coming months as part of its overhaul of the application.

What updates can you expect related to the 2024-25 FAFSA?

• The Department is in the final stages of testing two functions that it tentatively expects to make available by the end of June:
  1. 2024-25 paper FAFSA form processing — including those submitted by confined or incarcerated students
  2. Giving schools the ability to submit corrections electronically by entering the data manually via the FAFSA Partner Portal (FPP)
• Batch institutional corrections via the Electronic Data Exchange (EDE), as well as paper corrections, will be available in the first half of August
• Students and families will have access to additional webinars and videos to support their 2024-25 FAFSA submissions; more information will be released in the coming weeks
• Additional identity verification and the NSLDS post-screening processes for 2024-25 FAFSA applications will take place later in the calendar year
• 2024-25 FAFSA transactions that are flagged for identity verification or due to NSLDS post-screening will be generated during this same period

What changes can you expect related to the 2025-26 FAFSA?

• The Department is still committed to releasing the 2025-26 FAFSA form on October 1, 2024 and will provide updates as needed.
• This FAFSA will remain consistent with the 2024-25 form to ensure a smooth user experience
• As in previous years, the 2025-26 form will not be made available for public comment because it has no major shifts in functionality from 2024-25
• A new series of listening sessions will be announced over the coming weeks to discuss how to better support students, families, and financial aid administrators in 2025-26
• There will also be a Request for Information (RFI) to receive feedback from those who cannot attend the sessions
• FSA plans to synthesize the feedback from the listening sessions and RFI to release the FAFSA Better Future Roadmap by “late summer”
• This will roadmap will outline new tools such as additional trainings, webinars, counselor guides, and student tip sheets

SOURCE: (GENERAL-24-72) Details Related to the 2025-26 FAFSA Form Launch, Opportunities for Engagement, and Additional Activities for the 2024-25 Cycle