The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opened earlier than anticipated this year, marking a significant improvement from previous years when students and families encountered delays and technical issues with the application process.

On September 24, the U.S. Department of Education announced that the 2026-27 FAFSA form is now open, a full week ahead of the planned release date of October 1.

This represents a stark contrast to previous years following the launch of the newly designed forms, which caused widespread glitches and delays for students seeking financial aid.

"Everything seems to be moving smoother than it has in the past several years," said Tamara Reece, director of student financial aid at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

The improved rollout comes at a crucial t

See Full Page