What are some important things for me to know?

  • The FAFSA application opens November 21st for the 2025-2026 year
  • The 2025-2026 FAFSA application will be based on the 2023 tax year. Consider gathering your 2023 tax documents so you are ready once the application opens!
  • Curious on what aid you might be eligible for? Use the Department of Education's Federal Student Aid Estimator to consider your specific circumstances. 
  • Terminology you may see on the 2025-2026 FAFSA.
    • Student Aid Index (SAI): replaces the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) as a formal evaluation of a student's approximate financial resources to contribute toward their postsecondary education for a specific award year
    • Direct Data Exchange (DDX): system used to transfer individuals' tax information to determine federal aid eligibility (replaces the IRS data retrieval tool DRT). 
    • Contributor: any individual required to provide consent and approval for federal tax information (FTI) along with their signature on the FAFSA form, including the student; the student's spouse; a biological or adoptive parent; or the parent's spouse (stepparent)