2025-2026 FAFSA Updates
The 2025-2026 FAFSA Is Now Available
What You'll Need to Fill Out The FAFSA
1. Your FSA ID
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An FSA ID is a username used to apply on StudentAid.gov
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Every contributor (anyone who's required to provide information on the FAFSA) must make their own FSA ID
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To learn more about which parent is considered a contributor, use the Parent On The FAFSA Tool
2. Gather Needed Documents
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2023 tax records
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Records of any child support received & current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts
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Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms
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Email of your contributors to invite them to the FAFSA
3. Request Help If Needed
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Receive individualized assistance completing your FAFSA at our Financial Aid Saturday events
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Visit the FAFSA® Help page to find answers to common questions
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Contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center by chat, email, or phone
Summary of Updates
The 2025-2026 FAFSA has been officially released as of November 21, 2024. This announcement occurred 10 days ahead of the originally scheduled launch date.
The Department enabled changes to their system that allows a newly created FSA ID to be used to complete a FAFSA immediately without waiting for validation of the account, for contributors without a Social Security Number (SSN).
While identity validation must still occur to make FAFSA corrections and to view your studentaid.gov account information, the FAFSA may be completed before that takes place.
A new online tool released by the U.S. Department of Education helps determine which parent(s) should participate in a dependent student's FAFSA, by answering a series of dynamic questions.
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Improved help text was added throughout the application.
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If a student selects "Yes" to have their school determine their eligibility for a "Direct Unsubsidized Loan only", and then selects "Continue", a pop-up window appears warns the student that they will not be eligible for most federal student aid.
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A new page confirms if a contributor was successfully matched with the IRS to import their federal tax information directly onto the FAFSA.
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All contributors are no longer required to re-sign if one contributor updates their FAFSA data at a later time.
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The label for the question relating to homelessness status changed from "Student Other Circumstances" to "Student Homelessness."
- SAI and Pell Estimator Tool - Provides an estimate of how much federal student aid a student may be eligible to receive.
- Alamo FAFSA School Codes - View the list of Alamo Colleges' school codes to ensure the Student Financial Aid Office receives your FAFSA.
- Filling Out The FAFSA - Tips to help you fill out the FAFSA.
- Checking Your FAFSA Form Status - Tips on checking and understanding the status of your form on Studentaid.gov.
- FAFSA Preview Presentation - Provides screenshots that financial aid professionals, mentors, and counselors can use as a guide for the FAFSA.
Financial Aid Timeline
| Dates | Events |
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November 21, 2024
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The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2025-2026 officially launched. |
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December 2024 - May 2025
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Our Student Financial Aid office provided hands-on-help to complete the FAFSA at our Financial Aid Saturday events. |
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February 2025
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Our Student Financial Aid Office will begin to process your FAFSA information and update your ACES account with any outstanding requirements. |
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Summer 2025 |
Our Student Financial Aid Office will provide you your financial aid award offers for Fall 2025-Spring 2026. |
Video Resources
Determining FAFSA Contributors
All Contributors Need An FSA ID
Providing Consent On The FAFSA
Contact Us
If you need further assistance, please contact our Student Financial Aid Office at 210-21ALAMO (210-212-5266).