This time of year means that college applications are in full swing for high school seniors! There’s paperwork to submit, essays to write, and financial aid applications to send in. The most important financial document that students will file with their families this fall is the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For the 2025-2026 application cycle, the FAFSA will come online in December. Since it is a shorter opening for the application, it’s imperative to be prepared to fill it out as soon as you can. Even without being able to file the form right now, there’s still plenty students and their families can do to be prepared to send in their FAFSA!
Why Do I Have to File the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is how the amount of aid a student receives via federal grants, loans,work study, and more is calculated. No matter what your financial situation, you should absolutely file the FAFSA. I can’t tell you how many times families have told me that they wouldn’t qualify – but the reality is that everyone should complete the FAFSA. You may never know what aid your student can receive! This is one of the most important documents to complete in the college application process.
2025-2026 FAFSA
As mentioned, this year’s FAFSA is being released later to accommodate the changes that were made last year – and to avoid any mishaps like last year’s filing. Because of that, the time for schools to review and approve aid will be shorter, though they will be more prepared than last year! Either way, you want to be prepared to complete it as soon as possible once it is available.
Prep Now Makes Submission Easier
Even though it might seem like there is sufficient time before December, time moves fast. The first thing you will need to do, if you have not done so already, is obtain your FSA ID. All you have to do is create a unique username and password. This will give you access to the online FAFSA application. It will also serve as your legal signature for submitting the completed application after it’s complete. Once that is in place, start gathering the following documents and information:
- Social Security Numbers for students and parents, or Alien Registration Numbers for non-U.S. citizens.
- Driver’s license.
- Any applicable bank statements and records of investments to document additional income.
- Records of untaxed income, such as child support.
- Names of potential colleges for applications. You can add up to 10!
Independent students will only have to provide their personal information, while dependent students will need to provide it for themselves and their parents.
When you are ready to begin filing your FAFSA, be sure that you only go to the Federal Student Aid website at https://fafsa.ed.gov/. Remember, while you may pay someone to help you file – the actual filing should not cost you any money! The form itself is pretty easy to follow, but I know it can feel overwhelming so don’t be afraid to reach out if you have questions! Good luck!
More about Jodi and College Financial Aid Advisors
Jodi is a FAFSA financial advisor who helps with the financial aid process to help families of college students maximize their financial aid. From completing the FAFSA and completing the CSS Profile to reviewing the SAR, responding to requests for verification, comparing financial aid offers and understanding student loan options, Jodi is a fantastic resource when it comes to student financial aid. Schedule a 15 Minute Power Chat to learn more about finding ways to pay for college.