FSA has released the July 2025 update to the 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide, a comprehensive resource for financial aid administrators, software developers, and data processing professionals. This guide provides detailed information on integrating and managing electronic FAFSA data within institutional systems.
Key Highlights from the July 2025 Update
New Volumes Released
- Volume 1 – Summary of Changes
- Volume 2 – FPS Schedule and Getting Help
- Volume 7- Comment Codes
- Volume 9 – Addition of 2026–27 Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) test data file
Volumes Updated
- Volume 4A – Record Layouts
- Volume 4B – Processing Codes
- Volume 5 – Edits and Rejects
Current Available Volumes as of July 15, 2025:
- Introduction: 2026-27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Introduction
- Volume 1 – Summary of Changes: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 1
- Volume 2 – FPS Schedule and Getting Help: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 2
- Volume 3 – Electronic Data Exchange and FAFSA Processing: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 3
- Volume 4A – Record Layouts: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 4A
- 2026–27 ISIR Record Layout: 2026–27 ISIR Record Layout
- Volume 4B – Processing Codes: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 4B
- Volume 5 – Edits and Rejects: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 5
- Volume 6 – ISIR Guide: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 6
- Volume 7 – Comment Codes: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 7
- Volume 8 – Agency Matches: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 8
- Volume 9 – Testing and Web Demo System: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide – Volume 9
- 2026–27 FPS Test ISIR Data File: 2026–27 FPS Test ISIR Data File
SOURCES: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide (July 2025 Update) & (APP-25-20) 2026–27 Test ISIR Data File Available