Overview

• The Education Department opened the 2026–27 FAFSA on Sept. 24, a week earlier than planned, and financial aid offices report a smoother start than recent years.
• StudentAid.gov introduced instant identity verification for first-time accounts and a shareable invite code so parents or other contributors can complete their section.
• Federal data show submissions running higher than last year; the form remains open through June 30, 2027, but states set earlier priority dates such as Missouri’s Feb. 2, 2026.
• The FAFSA uses 2024 tax and income data, so students facing recent financial shocks can seek a professional judgment appeal from their colleges.
• Borrowing rules change on July 1, 2026, with the Graduate PLUS program eliminated and new annual and aggregate limits added for graduate and Parent PLUS loans.