FSA has released the October 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.
Update on Nov. 14, 2025: FSA has updated Volumes 1, 4A, the Excel version of the ISIR record layout, 4B, 5, and 7.
- 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:
SOURCE: 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide (October 2025 Update)