So Far, FAFSA Filings Proceeding Smoothly

It seems like the kinks in last year’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) have been ironed out.

When word got out in 2023 that the U.S. Department of Education planned to overhaul and simplify the FAFSA, parents and colleges anticipated an easier filing experience.

But it didn’t work out that way. The new form was plagued by problems. Usually released by Oct. 1, it was delayed until December 2024 and then final award decisions were late. With no word on financial assistance, students were forced to put off finalizing their choice of schools, and colleges had to push back deadlines for deposits, a stressing situation for schools and families.

“Families need a good window to compare different offers,” noted Donald Kerr, director of student lending and college services for AAA Northeast.

Fortunately, year two is going better, said Kerr, whose department helps families complete the FAFSA form. While there was a slight delay in releasing the 2025-2026 form, some families were able to access it in November, he said. This means students will get their award letters in time to make informed decisions.

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Students seeking federal grants and loans to pay for college must fill out the FAFSA form annually to determine whether they qualify for financial aid, based on their family’s income. Many colleges also use the form to decide how much aid they award students.

Last year, not only was the FAFSA’s release delayed, but many completed forms had to be reprocessed. The original FAFSA formulas did not account for increases in the cost of living and inflation, which meant that some families qualified for more aid, according to Kerr.

Among the goals of the revamp was to reduce the number of questions and make the form easier to complete, so more families would submit it and more would qualify for aid. Before the revisions, families spent as long as an hour completing the FAFSA; most people can do it now in 20 to 30 minutes, Kerr said. AAA staff can also help members complete the forms. Because the FAFSA form is available online, Kerr said he and his staff have been able to assist more people virtually.

AAA staff members strive to assist members throughout the college process, from applications to graduation, according to Kerr. AAA’s Pivotal College Years portal provides information about colleges, how to apply and careers.

“We help with the financial aid process, finances, and then, when students graduate, we provide advice about repaying student loans,” Kerr added.

The student lending and college services department may be small, but it has more than 50 years of experience in financial aid, Kerr pointed out. They also offer webinars on financial aid topics. “Besides our experience, we keep in touch with members, we prepare ahead of the season and get ready for different changes so we can give members the expertise and guidance they need,” according to Kerr. “If we don’t know something, we make sure members know where to get it. We have more ability to help more people.”

Have you recently filled out the FAFSA form? Tell us about your experience in the comments.

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