December 13, 2024 update: A PDF version of the application is now available here.
Today, the US Department of Education (ED) announced a second phase of the FAFSA Student Support Strategy. Another $50 million of federal funds is now available
for application by states, school districts, nonprofits, and other educational agencies and public and private organizations to support 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion during the period of January 15, 2025, through
June 30, 2026.
“The 2025-26 FAFSA is off to a much better start than last year, but we still have two fewer months than usual to help the high school class of 2025 complete it,” National College Attainment Network (NCAN) CEO Kim Cook said. “NCAN members and partners
across the country can put these funds to use to provide more intensive support that students and families need. We must emphatically communicate that this year’s FAFSA experience is vastly improved, and more students are receiving Pell Grants. We
must also support those who have concerns about the protection of their FAFSA data.”
The goal of the FAFSA Student Support Strategy is to increase the number of students who complete a 2025-26 FAFSA form, particularly first-time and Pell-eligible students during this second year of transition to the improved FAFSA form and system. Organizations
with experience in FAFSA completion and related activities listed below are encouraged to apply.
Expanding the availability of advisors, counselors and coaches to support students and contributors through the FAFSA application process, including extended hours during evenings, weekends and the summer session.
Hosting FAFSA submission clinics via partnerships with schools and districts.
Providing transportation support to those participating in FAFSA submission clinics.
Expanded data-sharing intended to increase the submission of the 2025-26 and/or 2026-27 FAFSA form, particularly via state data portal partnerships with high schools and districts.
Hosting recognition programs to incentivize cities and school districts to meet numeric targets for FAFSA submission, such as exceeding last year’s rate.
Conducting outreach to students and families via phone calls, social media, text messages emails, paid advertising campaigns and other means.
Offering technical assistance to support priority populations.
Designing and implementing strategies for parents to help them complete their portion of the form via text, phone calls and videoconferences, in multiple languages, as needed.
There is no application deadline at this time, but organizations should apply as soon as possible. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. These organizations received funding during the first round of the FAFSA Student Support Strategy earlier in 2024. According to ED, the first round helped 840,000 individuals submit a 2024-25 FAFSA.
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