The US Department of Education has reported a major milestone in the processing of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms for the 2025–26 academic year. Over 8 million forms have already been successfully submitted and processed, marking an almost 50% increase compared to the same period last year.
This achievement comes in the wake of challenges faced during the 2024–25 FAFSA rollout, which saw significant delays and problems under the Biden administration. Federal Student Aid (FSA) typically provides admissions officers with an Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) within one business day of FAFSA submission, a service that was disrupted last year.
Improved FAFSA forms and user experience
In addition to the increased submission rate, the Department of Education has introduced several improvements aimed at enhancing the user experience for students, parents, and educational institutions. These updates are designed to make the process more seamless while also cracking down on fraudulent activities. The improvements come as part of ongoing efforts to make the FAFSA process more efficient and secure.
Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron highlighted the contrast between the previous administration’s challenges and the current efforts. “The Biden administration’s FAFSA failure affected hundreds of thousands of American families – not only forcing colleges and universities to push back their enrollment deadlines but leaving students in the dark about their future education,” Bergeron said. He added that the Trump administration is taking corrective actions and implementing industry best practices, which have resulted in improved data accuracy and better resources for American students.
Tackling fraud and abuse
Another significant update from the Department of Education is the resumption of efforts to combat fraudulent activity in the FAFSA process. The Department has resumed flagging applications that may involve identity fraud, including cases where applicants are suspected of assuming another individual’s identity. This move is part of a broader strategy to ensure that FAFSA remains a secure and trustworthy resource for students.
Resolution of issues with the 2024–25 FAFSA form
The Department of Education has also taken steps to address the issues that arose with the 2024–25 FAFSA form. On February 27, 2025, the Department announced the general availability of batch corrections for both the 2024–25 and 2025–26 FAFSA cycles. Batch corrections were beta-tested successfully before being rolled out, and they will allow colleges and universities to more efficiently update information on submitted FAFSA forms. This change is expected to reduce the workload for staff at educational institutions, speeding up the correction process.
Preparing for the 2026–27 FAFSA form release
Looking ahead, the Department is preparing for the release of the 2026–27 FAFSA form. As part of this preparation, the Department has opened a 60-day comment period to gather public input on the new form. This comment period will conclude on April 7, 2025. Additionally, the Department is on track for the successful release of the 2026–27 FAFSA form by October 1, 2025.
These developments signal a commitment by the US Department of Education to streamline the FAFSA process, improve security measures, and ensure that students and institutions have access to the tools and resources they need for successful financial aid applications.
