What’s New for the 2026–27 FAFSA® Form? Beta Launch, Smarter Virtual Assistant, and More
By: James Bergeron, Acting Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Education and Acting Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid
Earlier this week, there was big news from the U.S. Department of Education (Department): Major improvements are coming to the 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) experience.
Whether you’re a student, parent, counselor, or higher ed professional, these changes are designed to make the federal student aid process faster, simpler, and more user-friendly. Here’s what to expect with the rollout of the new 2026–27 FAFSA form that will be released by Oct. 1.
FAFSA Beta Launch Starts Aug. 4
Beginning Aug. 4, 2025, a select group of students will have access to the 2026–27 FAFSA form through a nationwide beta testing phase. This early launch gives the Department a chance to identify and fix technical issues before the form goes live.
The beta testers will include students supported by school districts, community-based organizations, and colleges. These groups will host both in-person and virtual events to guide students and their families through the actual FAFSA process. Department staff will also be on-site and online to offer support and collect feedback.
In late August/early September, more students will be invited to join the beta phase, and any current or aspiring student will be able to request it directly at StudentAid.gov.
What’s New in the 2026–27 FAFSA Form?
The 2026–27 FAFSA form comes with two major improvements:
- Instant Identity Verification: A new StudentAid.gov account will now be verified immediately with the Social Security Administration—no more waiting up to three days.
- Simplified Contributor Process: Students will only need a contributor’s email address to invite them to fill out the FAFSA form. No more entering sensitive personal information to get started.
These updates reflect industry best practices from the tech world—faster, safer, and less stressful for students and families.
Meet the Upgraded Aidan: FAFSA Help, with Generative AI
FAFSA help is getting a serious upgrade. The Department has improved its virtual assistant, Aidan®, with new generative AI technology—the same kind of tech that powers smart chatbots.
Now available 24/7, Aidan can quickly answer a wide range of questions about federal student aid. In fact, early results show that 90% of general questions are now resolved directly by the virtual assistant—getting users instant answers and freeing up phone lines for complex inquiries.
It’s part of a bigger push by the Department to modernize student aid services, making them faster and more accessible for everyone.
Staying Transparent and Engaged
The Department has also prioritized public input throughout the process. Since the 60-day comment period wrapped up in April, and a second round of feedback ended in mid-June, Federal Student Aid has reviewed more than 2,000 public comments and made more than 50 changes to the 2026–27 form. These efforts show a clear commitment to listening to students, families, and partners as the new FAFSA form takes shape.
The bottom line: Big changes are on the way—and they’re all aimed at making the FAFSA process clearer, quicker, and more accessible for everyone. Whether you’re applying for the first time or helping others through the process, now’s the time to get ready for the future of federal student aid.
Visit fafsa.gov for more information about the 2026–27 FAFSA form, the beta launch, and more.
James Bergeron is the Acting Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education and Acting Federal Student Aid Chief Operating Officer. He is a proud University of Louisiana at Lafayette alum, and a first-generation college student.