Streamlined processes and a simpler form made a positive impact on engagement from students and families.
By Rick Cox and Siobahn Arbogast
This year’s NASFAA conference delivered a range of important updates and valuable insights for the financial aid community. We’ve outlined additional updates about the FAFSA below.
- Completion of the FAFSA increased significantly this year, with the number of applicants increasing by 15 percent over last year.
- By policy, 11 states either require or strongly encourage completion of the FAFSA by high school seniors. Oklahoma has the highest FAFSA completion rate, whereas Louisiana has the lowest.
- Starting with the 2026-2027 FAFSA, which is set to be released October 1, 2025:
-Students will only need to enter their parent’s email address to invite one as a contributor. Note this is only if the student starts the form.
-The email address does not have to directly belong to the parent; the parent just needs to be able to access it. The parent will retrieve a verification code to begin their part of the process.
-When setting up a studentaid.gov account, the user will no longer have to wait on an email for SSA verification. If there is an issue, the user will be notified immediately. - There will be an increase in V4 verifications, which includes Identity/Statement of Educational Purpose and verification of an applicant’s high school completion.
- FSA is set to retire the Known Issues page.Rick Cox is Global’s Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance. Siobahn Arbogast is Global’s Director of Title IV Accounting.
July 11, 2025
Rick Cox is Global’s Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance. Siobahn Arbogast is Global’s Director of Title IV Accounting.
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