Filing for college aid early is crucial, as the 2025-26 FAFSA is now open ahead of schedule.

• The 2025-26 FAFSA is now available early for all students and families, as announced by the Education Department.
• Students should file the FAFSA as soon as they can, experts say.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid has expanded its "phased rollout," allowing all students to apply for aid for the upcoming academic year.

The 2025-26 FAFSA was only accessible to select groups of students through beta tests starting on Oct. 1, up until Monday.

The Department of Education has announced that it will be out of testing entirely by Nov. 22, which is ahead of schedule.

Last year, the new simplified form for the upcoming academic year was not available until late December, despite the typical availability of the form in October.

The plan was to make it accessible to all students and contributors by Dec. 1 this year.

Submitting a form during the final "expanded beta" phase before Nov. 22 will exempt students from submitting a subsequent 2025–26 FAFSA form, the education department announced.

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Higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz stated that while there are still issues with the new college aid application cycle, they all have workarounds, as was also the case in last year's cycle.

"This year's rollout is significantly improved from last year," he stated.

Fewer students went to college last year due to complications with the new application form that prevented some students from applying.

Why it's important to file the FAFSA early

Prep Expert CEO and founder Shaan Patel advised students to make the most of the early release of FAFSA and submit it promptly.

Completing the form early increases the chances of receiving aid, as some financial aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis or from programs with limited funds.

Applying early increases the likelihood of receiving more non-repayable aid, according to Patel.

"Receiving financial aid award letters sooner due to early submission reduces stress and allows families to focus on other important aspects of college preparation."

For many students, financial aid is key.

The cost of higher education is already unaffordable for most families, and college costs continue to rise. In the 2024-25 school year, the average tuition and fees plus room and board for a four-year private college was $58,600, an increase of $2,210 from the previous year. At four-year, in-state public colleges, it was $24,920, an increase of $840 from the previous year, according to the College Board.

The FAFSA is the key to accessing all federal aid funds, including federal student loans, work-study, and especially grants, which are increasingly important because they do not require repayment.

According to the National College Attainment Network, submitting a FAFSA is a reliable indicator of whether a high school senior will attend college. In fact, seniors who complete the FAFSA are 84% more likely to enroll in college immediately after graduation, as found in an NCAN study of 2013 data.