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The 2025 FAFSA form is finally open
At Cal Poly Pomona, peer counselors are part of a team that helps students navigate financial aid.
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Courtesy Cal Poly Pomona
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Topline:
The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now live , meaning current and incoming college students can apply to get the money they need to pay for tuition, room and board, and other expenses.
The backstory: The U.S. Department of Education launched a revamped version of the FAFSA last year, promising to make it easier to apply. That effort was marred by technical glitches and processing delays. The new form was released months behind schedule , setting colleges scrambling to get financial aid packages out in time. Local school districts saw a major decline in completed applications . The form is typically made available in October, but it was delayed again this year to address lingering issues.
Why it matters: The U.S. Department of Education uses FAFSA data to provide federal financial aid. Colleges also use this information to calculate how much students will pay to go to their campus. Schools then make offers to prospective students, which can be composed of grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study.
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What's next: The federal deadline to complete the application is June 30, 2026. However, to qualify for state-based programs, including the Cal Grant, California residents should submit their application by March 3, 2025. Students who plan to study at a community college have until Sept. 2, 2025.
Good to know: Undocumented students, DACA recipients, U Visa holders, and students with Temporary Protected Status can complete the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to receive state-based financial aid.
Need help? The California Student Aid Commission will be hosting free webinars , staffed by financial aid experts.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
