FAFSA 2025-26 Eligibility Criteria – Who is Eligible to Apply? Everything You Need to Know

The FAFSA forms are now made available for the academic session 2025-26. The FAFSA acronym stands for “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” which is a federal financial assistance program to aid the eligible students in pursuing their higher studies. This FAFSA can also be granted to students pursuing certification from any career or trade school. The authority supervising this program is the U.S. Department of Education. The student must have an online Student Aid account to apply for this aid which can be created on the portal of the U.S. Department of Education. For details such as eligibility criteria, application process and more read the entire article.

FAFSA 2025-26 Eligibility Criteria

The FAFSA forms are now online for academic session 2025-26 that is starting from July 1st, 2025 and will last till June 30th, 2026. This academic year’s deadline is June 30th, 2026 and thus the students need to duly submit their FAFSA forms via the Student Aid portal. The student needs to submit their forms as soon as possible because only limited funds are available for the entirety of the applications and those who file first will get priority. The student applying for FAFSA needs to be a US citizen or resident with a valid Social Security Number and should have been enrolled in a graduation degree or career school certification program. More on eligibility criteria will be discussed later in the article.

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FAFSA 2025-26 Eligibility Criteria Overview Details

Title FAFSA 2025-26 and its Eligibility Criteria
Associated CountryThe United States of America
Relevant AuthorityThe U.S. Department of Education
Discussed SchemeFree Application for Federal Student Aid
Targeted BeneficiaryHigher Education Students
Basic EligibilityEnrolled in a degree course or career certification
Federal DeadlineJune 30th, 2026
For more insight visit atwww.studentaid.gov
FAFSA 2025-26 Eligibility Criteria - Who is Eligible to Apply? Everything You Need to Know

Who can apply For FAFSA 2025-26?

The eligibility criteria for FAFSA for the academic year 2025-26 are as follows:

  • The applicant needs to be a US citizen or resident alien;
  • The applicant must have obtained a valid Social Security Number;
  • The applicant must have completed their high school degree or equivalent certification;
  • The applicant must have successfully enrolled in any graduation course in any affiliated college or university or career school;
  • The applicant needs to prove their dependency status;
  • The applicant’s contributor i.e. parents or spouse, as required, has to provide details about their taxation, banking, net worth, child support payments record and their Social Security Number;
  • The applicant must not be a defaulter or convicted felon;

For more details visit at Filling Out the FAFSA® Form | Federal Student Aid

FAFSA 2025-26 Timeline to Apply

The FAFSA is a financial aid program that gives a form of loan or grant to the applicant. Upon completion of the degree or certification the loan or grant is to be repaid. However, certain eligible students can also request loan forgiveness. The FAFSA loan or grants are offered for students enrolled in most US-based colleges, universities, career and trade schools. The loans and grants allotted under this FAFSA program are funded by both federal as well as state government.

The deadline for the FAFSA forms is usually either June 30th or the last date of the academic year, whichever is before. The FAFSA forms that are out for the academic session 2025-26 are to be submitted via Student Aid portal account before June 30th, 2026.

How to Fill FAFSA 2025-26 Application?

As discussed previously, the students need to create an online Student Aid account at the U.S. Department of Education portal wherein they will get their FSA ID credentials by following this process:

  • Select the option “Log In To Start”
  • Register or Log in using Student’s username and password;
  • Select option to login as either a Student or Parent;
  • Fill the form with the required information to submit it.

Those students who have already participated and successfully submitted their forms, during the Student Aid portal beta testing which was recently convened, don’t need to resubmit their FAFSA forms again as it will be considered as valid form submission.

FAFSA 2025-26 Latest Updates

Within one to three days from the date of successful FAFSA form submission, the associated students can review the submission summary of their respective FAFSA form. This will allow the student to make any necessary changes or updating in any information associated with their FAFSA application. The changes may include details of their previous and current educational institution, bank details or signature that was submitted initially with their FAFSA form. The students need to make any such correction in FAFSA form by September 13th, 2026.

FAQs on FAFSA 2025-26 Eligibility Criteria

  • What is the primary eligibility criterion to apply for FAFSA 2025-26?

The primary eligibility criterion to apply for FAFSA 2025-26 is the applicant being enrolled for a graduation degree program in a college, university or career school which are US based for academic year 2025-26.

  • When is the last date to submit FAFSA forms for academic session 2025-26?

The last date to submit FAFSA forms for academic session 2025-26 for federal grant is on June 30th, 2026. Further, students can make corrections in their FAFSA form by September 13th, 2026.

  • Why do applicants need to submit their FAFSA application sooner than later?

The federal grants funds are limited and therefore only some of the applicants might get to secure the federal grant hence those who fill their FAFSA forms first will be prioritized over the ones who are late in filling the form. Therefore it is advised to fill the FAFSA form as soon as possible rather than later.

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