The FAFSA is now open: How to apply for financial aid

The Department of Education released the 2025-26 Federal Student Aid Free Application Form on November 21, 2024, 10 days ahead of the original target of December 1. The form must be submitted by June 30, 2025.

The FAFSA is a free form that allows students to receive federal financial aid in the form of grants, loans, and scholarships for college or vocational schools. Last year, the Ministry of Education had numerous problems with the delayed introduction of the form and published it on Dec 30 instead of October 1st as in previous years. It has since remodeled its contact center for students and families.

It has increased staffing levels by nearly 80% and will continue to add agents to its contact center, which now offers evening and weekend hours. The contact center opening hours will be extended until March 2nd and will be available for viewing Here.

A newly passed bill authored by Representative Erin Houchin of Indiana, the FAFSA deadline The law requires the Department of Education to make the FAFSA available by October 1 in future years.

To complete the FAFSA form, both the student and the contributor must — the student’s parent, spouse or legal guardian — First you have to create one Student assistance Account. Students and contributors will need their Social Security numbers (or A numbers for non-U.S. citizens), tax returns, balances in current checking and savings accounts, and other general financial information. Forms can be printed and sent by post or filled out online FASFA Website.

After the student’s dependency status is confirmed, the student can invite contributors by providing the contributor’s name, date of birth, email address, and social security number.

When filling out the form, students can expect to answer questions about their living circumstances, demographics and finances. You have the option to send the form to up to 20 schools. Once both the student and contributor have completed the FAFSA, it is submitted for processing.

The priority deadline for Indiana residents is April 15. If you don’t meet the deadline, you should still submit the form.