TheBulletinBriefs
Federal student aid helps millions of students afford college through grants, work-study, and loans that don’t require credit history or collateral.
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your gateway to federal grants, loans, and work-study funds.
For 2025-2026, submit your FAFSA by June 30, 2026. Make corrections by September 12, 2026. Earlier submission increases your chances for maximum aid.
Create your FSA ID, gather tax information, complete the FAFSA at studentaid.gov, and use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool for accuracy.
Grants (free money), work-study (part-time jobs), and loans (must be repaid). Pell Grants provide up to thousands per year for undergraduate students
After submitting FAFSA, you’ll receive a Student Aid Report and financial aid offers from colleges. Compare offers carefully before deciding.
About 1 in 3 FAFSA applications are selected for verification. Be prepared to provide additional documentation within 15 days if requested.
The SAVE Plan is ending, and new repayment options will be available, including the Standard Repayment Plan and Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP).
Starting July 1, 2026, graduate students will face new borrowing limits as the grad PLUS program changes, potentially affecting access to pricier grad
Visit studentaid.gov regularly for updates, maintain good academic standing to keep your aid, and reapply each year with a new FAFSA.