FAFSA 2026-27 opens early for limited students: 5 essential details you must know

The FAFSA form for the 2026-27 academic year has opened early for a limited group of students as part of a beta test by the U.S. Department of Education. This phased rollout aims to ensure system readiness before full access on October 1, 2025. FAFSA remains essential for accessing federal, state, and institutional financial aid for college.