FAFSA 2026-27 BETA TESTING
FAFSA 2026-27 BETA TESTING
As reported earlier, the Department of Education (ED) was conducting FAFSA 2026-27 beta testing with a selected pool of participants. This is somewhat similar to what happened for the 2025-26 application cycle following the collapse of the system during the 2024-25 launch.
During the last FAFSA application cycle the schedule of testing phases were listed along with the type of participants. With the official launch date two weeks away, details from ED about the number of participants and the preliminary results are far less detailed than the previous cycle.
How This Year Differs
Rather than a multiple phases with an incremental increase in size each time, it appears there’s been one
primary testing group of unknown participants. This initial phase is closed.
Information reported by the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators is not encouraging but also not as alarming as the reports from two years ago.
The second phase is open an continues until the end of September. Little information has been found to explain how this second phase will work.
Would You Like to Be a Beta Tester?
Any student can apply to be a beta tester by submitting a request of the Federal Student Aid (FSA) website. Not everyone who applies will be accepted. Details about the selection process are difficult to find.
Students who are granted early access will not need to take further action on October 1, unless there is an issue with the submission.
Waiting to See What Happens Next
With little information available at this stage, everyone will have to wait until after October 1 to have a complete picture.
Keep in mind that the FAFSA 206-27 cycyle will see the impacts of the new federal budget changes. If you are a current college student receiving financial aid, you may see a decrease in your award amount.
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