"Filling out the FAFSA college student aid form may not yet be “delightful,” as federal officials hope. But after fixes triggered by a notorious technical meltdown three years ago, the online application may start to shed its burdensome reputation," The New York Times reports.

... "Financial aid experts say it’s fine to wait until October to complete the form. “There’s no advantage or disadvantage” to filing it before then, said Sarah Austin, a policy analyst at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators — unless you want to cross a task off your to-do list. 'If October is a significantly busy month for you, you can absolutely request to participate now,' she said."

... "Once the form opens to the public, it’s typically best to submit it as soon as you can, Ms. Austin said. That’s because states and colleges may have limited aid and often set priority deadlines for applications, some as early as mid-January. If you wait too long, you may miss out on money for college."

NASFAA's "Notable Headlines" section highlights media coverage of financial aid to help members stay up to date with the latest news. Articles included under the notable headlines section are not written by NASFAA, but rather by external sources. Inclusion in Today's News does not imply endorsement of the material or guarantee the accuracy of information presented.

Publication Date: 8/28/2026