The 2025-26 FAFSA is available NOW!
Changes on the 2025–26 FAFSA Form:
- The Who's My FAFSA Parent? wizard is an online tool to help dependent students identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on their FAFSA form.
- The label for the homelessness question will change from "Student Other Circumstances" to "Student Homelessness."
- If the student selects "Yes" to have their school determine their eligibility for a Direct Unsubsidized Loan only, and then selects "Continue." a pop-up window appears warning the student that they will not be eligible for most federal student aid.
- A new page confirms if their information was successfully matched with IRS records to request federal tax information to help complete the financial sections.
Resources:
- The Who's My FAFSA Parent? wizard is an online tool to help dependent students identify which parent(s) will be a required contributor on their FAFSA form.
- The 2025–26 FAFSA® Preview Presentation
- Visit StudentAid.gov/fsa-id/create-account as soon as possible before starting the FAFSA to create an account username and password (FSA ID).
- “Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account” Page—A new resource that explains everything families and partners need to know about creating a StudentAid.gov account.
- Federal Student Aid Estimator Provides an estimate of the 2025–26 Student Aid Index (SAI) and Federal Pell Grant eligibility calculation. With this tool, students can find out how much federal student aid they may be eligible for in the 2025–26 award year.
- Pro Tips for Completing the FAFSA Form—Updated tips for preparing to fill out and submitting the FAFSA form. This resource will also be linked from the StudentAid.gov Dashboard to promote easier access for students and their required contributor(s).
- Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel: FAFSA Videos—Updated videos to help students and families understand the importance of the FAFSA form, who is a FAFSA contributor, and what happens after submitting the form.
Terminology:
• SAI (Student Aid Index): The calculated result of running the federal methodology formula and used to award federal aid (may be used to calculate Pell Grants in the Min/Max Pell determination is not the best for the student). Forget: EFC (Expected Family Contribution).
• Contributors: The new word that will be used for anyone who is required to provide information on a FAFSA. A contributor could be the student, the student's spouse, parent, or stepparents, depending on your dependency status and family situation. Forget: Using the word "parent" or "student" to describe whose information you still need to collect.
• Consent: each contributor will need to provide their consent (permission) to their Federal Tax Information (FTI) being used on the FAFSA. If any contributor to the FAFSA form does not provide consent, submission of the form will still be allowed. However, a Student Aid Index (SAI) will not be calculated.
• FTI (Federal Tax Information): All FTI transferred will be hidden from the applicant and any contributor(s) but made available to the institutions listed on the student's FAFSA.
• FADDX (Financial Aid Direct Data Exchange): The new name for bringing over applicant/parent information from the IRS. Forget: IRS DRT.
• Family size: Will be determined by the number of exemptions claimed on federal tax returns from the IRS. (Note: There will be an option to change that number if it no longer reflects the accurate family size). Forget: Household size
• FPS (FAFSA Processing System): The new name for the platform processing the forms. CPS (Central Processing System) is being retired.
You MUST provide Consent
Through the DDX process the IRS shares federal tax information (FTI) with the Department of Education and the colleges listed on the FAFSA to calculate a Student Aid Index. Every contributor on the FAFSA is required to consent to DDX, even if they didn't file taxes, for the student to be eligible for federal financial aid.
The FSA ID is more important than ever
Students and parents must have an FSA ID to complete the form, including parents without Social Security number.
INSTRUCTIONS TO CREATE AN FSA ID
- Instructions for Creating an FSA ID for Contributors who do not have an SSN.
- (Spanish) Instructions for Creating an FSA ID for Contributors who do not have an SSN.
Changes can mean delays, so file early
As with any new system, there may be a few bumps in the beginning. Filing early is the best way to have the time you need to get into the new system and submit your FAFSA. But, if at any point you have questions, visit the Cal Coast Student Financial Center to speak to a counselor.