After several years of delayed rollouts, the U.S. Department of Education has confirmed that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available on time this fall. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon certified to Congress that the 2026-27 FAFSA will launch by the statutory October 1 deadline, restoring a timeline that families had long relied upon when apply for financial aid.

The Department began beta testing of the form in early August, describing it as the "earliest testing phase in FAFSA history". According to officials, more than 1,000 students have already submitted applications during this period, with thousands more expected before the public launch.

For families eager to finalize their college financial aid plans, beta testing provides a chance to get an early start on the FAFSA.