ED Opens Second Phase of 2027-28 FAFSA Beta Testing, Certifies the FAFSA Will Launch By October 1
By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
The Department of Education (ED) has started its second phase of beta testing for the 2027-28 FAFSA, where any student or parent is able to request early access to complete the form.
Earlier this summer, ED outlined its plan to beta test the 2027-28 FAFSA ahead of the official launch by October 1, 2026.
The first phase of beta testing began on Wednesday, August 5. During this phase the 2027-28 FAFSA was beta tested by a limited group of school districts, community-based organizations, and institutions of higher education through in-person and virtual events. According to ED, during this first phase, the department partnered with 17 organizations in seven states to beta test and submit almost 2,000 forms.
Now, as part of the second phase of beta testing, any student or parent can go onto the StudentAid.gov website, and select the “Request Access” button. From there, the user must log in and select “Request Beta Access.” ED will then invite participants by email until beta testing ends. ED noted that if a user is not selected for this beta testing, the 2027-28 FAFSA will open to everyone by October 1, 2026.
As a reminder, during this beta testing period, students and parents are submitting real 2027-28 FAFSAs, which will be sent to institutions indicated by the applicant.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon, on Tuesday, also certified to Congressional leaders that the FAFSA will launch by October 1, 2026. As part of the FAFSA Deadline Act, which became law in 2024, the department must certify to Congress by September 1 that the FAFSA will launch on October 1.
McMahon wrote that during this second phase of beta testing, ED expects tens of thousands of more FAFSAs to be submitted before the official October 1 launch date.
Publication Date: 8/26/2026
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