ED Publishes Request for Information for 2025-26 FAFSA Materials

By Hugh T. Ferguson, NASFAA Managing Editor

The Department of Education (ED) on Wednesday published in the Federal Register a Request for Information (RFI) regarding feedback on the ways in which they can improve “help text” and other materials for the upcoming 2025-26 FAFSA.

The RFI seeks feedback on the ways in which ED can create tip sheets and tools for students and contributors to assist them in successfully completing the 2025-26 FAFSA. The department also requested feedback from financial aid administrators on additional ways in which ED can provide support to individuals who fill out the 2025-26 FAFSA.

As a part of the announcement ED also noted that the department is hosting a series of listening sessions and is currently in the process of developing a 2025-26 “Better FAFSA Better Future Roadmap,” which will detail new resources and tools ED plans to make available for next year’s cycle.

Earlier this year ED noted that they would not hold a public comment period for the 2025-26 FAFSA, instead the department planned to focus on improving the user experience with the upcoming form through less formal channels like this RFI and listening sessions.

According to the department the RFI is not a request for proposals (RFP) and they will not be making major changes to the 2025-26 FAFSA, including changes to the question flow or the data collected to make eligibility determinations.

Comments are due Sept. 13, 2024. Stay tuned to Today’s News for NASFAA’s comments and updates on this process.

Publication Date: 8/15/2024

Donna H | 8/20/2024 2:34:45 PM

42 days from now is October 1 and programmers still do not have an isir layout for 25-26. And no guess of when we will even see it. Yes, the announcement was made that limited schools will test, starting Oct 1- but schools cannot do anything if they don't have the SOFTWARE to handle 26. To tell us that "limited changes" are being made to 26 is not enough. We need the isir layout.

JoEllen P | 8/19/2024 7:49:30 AM

Is there any way to remove the Unsub Only question and replace it with a statement that a student should reach to their institution if they are unable to provide parental information? Too many students are completing that question incorrectly and it is causing significant delays in processing student applications.

Pamela G | 8/16/2024 9:41:25 AM

The 24-25 "High School completion status" question needs to be clearer. There were so many students who marked "none of the previous" who actually have a US High School diploma or a foreign high school completion equivalency.

Linda K | 8/15/2024 9:11:19 AM

What about a tip sheet and tools for financial aid administrators to trouble shoot ISIR issues?

Carrie S | 8/15/2024 8:25:32 AM

I'll get right on that with all my free time ;)

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ED Publishes Request for Information for 2025-26 FAFSA Materials

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