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With midterm elections just under a month away, the incoming Congress’s priorities for federal student aid policy and funding will take shape with new committee leadership and the possibility of a divided government, which will significantly impact legislative dynamics.

Federal Student Aid (FSA) posted its final 2027-28 FAFSA forms on Tuesday by providing a PDF version of the application along with an Incarcerated Applicant form. The incarcerated form is identical to the “regular” application, but it does include a statement identifying it as the version for incarcerated applicants, as well as a separate mailing address for submission. “This separate mailing address ensures we account for the special circumstances of incarcerated applicants and the security requirements of correctional facilities that may impact paper, printing, mailing, and writing tools.” FSA also provided final mock-ups of the 2027-28 FAFSA submission summary that can be used in staff trainings or financial aid presentations. All forms are available in English and Spanish. NASFAA has also updated its PEP Webcenter with these new resources.

This AskRegs Knowledgebase Q&A was updated on September 25, 2026, to clarify guidance on the learner's permit below. No. According to guidance NASFAA has received from the U.S. Department of Education (ED), a temporary driver's license is not acceptable when verifying identity in verification tracking group V4 or V5. According to ED, there are instances in which a temporary driver’s license is issued to allow time for further investigation and confirmation of an applicant’s identity before issuing a permanent driver's license. The purpose of identity verification is consistent with this action, so ED requires a permanent driver's license for federal verification purposes (when a driver's license is being used for verification). View the full answer to this question to learn more.

Financial aid professionals are navigating constant change while supporting students and families. In this free webinar, on October 22 at 2 p.m. ET, discover how NASFAA can support you in your work and throughout your career. We'll help you find timely updates and answers through resources such as Today's News, AskRegs, and NASFAA's WebCenters. You'll also explore training, professional credentials, conferences, and other opportunities to build your skills and connect with colleagues. Meet NASFAA's new community engagement manager, Natalie Wong, and learn how to take part in NASFAA Communities. Reserve your seat today!

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