The Department of Education (ED) officially launched the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026–27 academic year a week early. The launch came after a successful beta testing period in August.
What does this mean for your students?
Earlier access: Students and families can complete the form now, giving them earlier access to financial aid information.
Positive feedback: Beta testing yielded strong results, with 97% of users satisfied and 90% reporting a reasonable completion time. We anticipate a smooth and effective start to the new application cycle.
Challenges for mixed-status families: ED has not yet provided a permanent solution to identity verification issues, which continues to pose a challenge for these families when attempting to file the FAFSA and privacy concerns.
The 2026–27 CADAA opens October 1!
The California Dream Act Application (CADAA) opens on October 1.
The CADAA is available to eligible undocumented Californians and mixed status families. While the CADAA provides access to state and institutional aid, students who file only the CADAA are not eligible for federal financial aid dollars.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me Kene Washington – kwashington@davincischools.org and/or (310) 725-5800 ext 7013.