FAFSA 2026-27 BETA TESTING

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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 one72% of institutions report increase in response times for applications. 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.

Continue to read updates here and subscribe to our “Education Unpacked” YouTube channel for additonal information.

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Categories: Financial Aid

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Perilous State of Pell Grants

Perilous state of pell grants Red arrow over declining stacked coins.

 

The Perilous State of Pell Grants

The passage of the OB3 made significant changes to who is eligible for a Pell Grant and how much these students can receive. 

The new law impacts all students, i.e., rising high school seniors and current college students.

Let’s examine the changes that go into effect on July 1, 2026 and then look forward to what might come next. 

Note: The FAFSA application that opens on October 1, 2025 is for the 2026-27 school year. The changes are not retroactive and should have no impact on awards for the 2025-26 school year.

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Categories: Financial Aid

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New Budget Impact on Education

New budget impact on education

How Will Passage of the New Budget Impact Education?

Time will tell is both the short and the long answer.

We know that there are or soon will be blanket impacts that be felt by nearly every school district in the nation. Some of the provision of the bill won’t take effect until January 2027.

Compulsory Education

One of the most concerning aspects of the bill is the draining of public school funds to divert to the newly created private school voucher program.

Special education faces reduced funding. Critically needed supports may not be there for students, who need extra attention to reach their full potential.

Special education departments are already strained. A loss of funding will make it impossible for them to deliver quality and meaningful services to students.

Higher Education

Some of you may have dealt with the FAFSA meltdown of 2023/24, if you didn’t be grateful.

Now there’s a host of new set of challenges, including stagnant and potentially reduced Pell Grants (video coming 08/12)  to changes to student loans.

On a positive note, the exclusion of small business and family farm income from Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation has been restored. The “multi-student discount” has not.

For higher education the loss of funds presents not only budgetary problems but creates an enrollment issue. How or why would students apply to schools with previously strong research departments if those programs will be diminished or cut?

 

Factors Beyond the Bill

The budget isn’t the only factor causing turmoil in education. The administration is threatening to withhold funding for both K-12 and higher education for a variety of specious reasons. There are multiple lawsuits working their way through the courts.

A number f well-known universities have met the administrations unreasonable and intrusive demands.

School autonomy is under threat by an administration intent on delivering a low-quality education devoid of a factual basis to future generations.

Staying Informed

There are too many changes and impacts to cover in one or two blog posts. I will be addressing the known effects as they are revealed. Many of the communications will be via video. You’re encouraged to subscribe to the “Education Unpacked” YouTube channel for timely and detailed information.

You should also subscribe to national and local publications to learn what is being reported.

Get involved with your child’s PTA/PTO or Building Quality Management Team. There is no better way to see what’s happening than to be involved. Firsthand knowledge is the best knowledge.

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