FSA has released the November 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. 20, 2025: FSA has added additional 2026-27 ISIR Test Files to Volume 9.
This additional set of system-generated ISIRs includes updates to the 2026–27 FAFSA form and Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, as described in the Aug. 15, 2025 Electronic Announcement. The test ISIRs are stored in a public U.S. Department of Education GitHub repository, as well as in an attachment to the 2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide under Volume 9 – Testing and Web Demo System.
2026–27 FAFSA Specifications Guide (as of 11/20/25)
- 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:
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