FAFSA 2026 changes

{{whyLabel}}: The FSA ID is your legal electronic signature and the only way to access the FAFSA portal.

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• Visit the official Federal Student Aid website.
• Provide your Social Security Number (SSN), full name, and date of birth.
• Set up two-factor authentication (2FA) using a mobile number or email.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have received a confirmation email and can log into the studentaid.gov dashboard.

{{whyLabel}}: The 2026-27 FAFSA requires any person providing information (parents or spouses) to have their own FSA ID.

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• Determine if your parents are married, divorced, or separated.
• Identify the parent who provided the most financial support in the last 12 months.
• Collect the legal name, SSN, and email address for each contributor.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have a list of all contributors and their contact information.

{{whyLabel}}: The 2026-27 FAFSA uses 'prior-prior year' data, meaning financial info from 2024 is mandatory.

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• Locate federal tax return Form 1040 and all schedules.
• Gather W-2 forms for both the student and all contributors.
• Ensure you have records of untaxed income, such as child support received in 2024.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Digital or physical copies of 2024 financial documents are ready for reference.

{{whyLabel}}: Federal deadlines are late, but state and college-specific funds often run out early on a first-come, first-served basis.

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• Check the 'State Deadlines' page on the FAFSA website.
• Visit the financial aid page of every college you are applying to.
• Add the earliest date (often Feb 1st or March 1st) to your calendar.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: A master list of deadlines for all target schools is created.

{{whyLabel}}: Reporting assets that are legally exempt (like retirement accounts) can incorrectly lower your aid eligibility.

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• Identify non-reportable assets: Primary residence, life insurance, and 401k/IRA accounts.
• Identify reportable assets: Savings, checking, brokerage accounts, and 529 plans owned by parents.
• Note that small family businesses (under 100 employees) are now reportable under the new FAFSA rules.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have a clear list of assets that must be disclosed versus those that should be excluded.

{{whyLabel}}: FAFSA is a 'snapshot' of your wealth on the day you submit; lower balances can lead to a lower Student Aid Index (SAI).

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• Use available cash to pay off consumer debt (credit cards, car loans) which FAFSA does not count as a reduction in assets.
• Make necessary large purchases (e.g., a computer for school) before filing the form.
• Ensure all 2024 tax liabilities are paid using current savings.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: Liquid assets are strategically balanced before the submission date.

{{whyLabel}}: Starting the form as the student allows you to invite contributors and manage the workflow.

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• Log in to studentaid.gov with your FSA ID.
• Select the '2026-27 FAFSA Form'.
• Complete the 'Student Identity' and 'Student Personal Circumstances' sections.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: The student section is initiated and saved.

{{whyLabel}}: Consent for the Future Act Direct Data Exchange (FA-DDX) is mandatory to be eligible for federal aid.

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• Read the disclosure regarding the IRS data transfer.
• Click 'Approve' or 'Consent' to allow the IRS to send 2024 tax data directly to the Department of Education.
• Ensure all contributors also log in and provide this consent individually.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: The 'Consent' status shows as completed for the student and all contributors.

{{whyLabel}}: You must list schools to ensure they receive your financial data for aid packaging.

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• Use the built-in search tool to find colleges by name or state.
• Add all schools you are considering, even if you haven't applied yet.
• Note that for 2026-27, you can list up to 20 schools (increased from previous years).

{{doneWhenLabel}}: All target institutions are listed on the form.

{{whyLabel}}: An unsigned FAFSA is invalid and will not be processed.

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• Review the 'Summary' page for any errors or missing information.
• Electronically sign using your FSA ID.
• Ensure contributors have signed their respective sections.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You see the 'Congratulations' page with a submission date and time stamp.

{{whyLabel}}: The FSS contains your Student Aid Index (SAI), which determines your eligibility for Pell Grants and other aid.

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• Log in 3-5 days after submission to download the FSS.
• Check for the 'SAI' number. A lower or negative number (down to -1500) indicates higher need.
• Verify that no 'Action Required' flags are present.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: You have a PDF copy of your FSS and know your SAI score.

{{whyLabel}}: Different schools offer different packages; comparing 'Net Price' is the only way to see the true cost.

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• Use a generic spreadsheet or a 'Financial Aid Comparison Tool' (open-source/free).
• Subtract grants and scholarships from the Total Cost of Attendance (COA).
• Ignore 'Parent PLUS Loans' when calculating the net price, as these are debt, not aid.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: A comparison table showing the net cost for each school is complete.

{{whyLabel}}: If your 2026 financial situation is worse than your 2024 tax data (e.g., job loss, medical bills), you can ask for a manual adjustment.

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• Contact the financial aid office of your chosen school.
• Request a 'Professional Judgment' or 'Special Circumstances' form.
• Provide documentation (termination letters, medical receipts) to prove the change.

{{doneWhenLabel}}: An appeal package has been sent to the school's financial aid office.