A Rocky Start for FAFSA: What It Means for College Students and Their Families

The launch of the updated Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was far from smooth, leaving many college students uncertain about their financial aid for the fall semester. The U. S. Department of Education has admitted to the issues and announced a delayed release for next year's FAFSA. But, higher education specialist Mark Kantrowitz is doubtful about the department's capability to tackle the challenges. In the meantime, families are increasingly turning to loans to cover college expenses, with the percentage of parents taking out federal parent PLUS loans on the rise. As the 2025-26 FAFSA approaches, it's vital to learn from these mistakes and make sure a more efficient process