5 Major Takeaways from the 2025-2026 FAFSA Webinar

Around 18 million students complete the FAFSA® annually, yet billions of dollars in federal aid go unclaimed each year.  Filling out the FAFSA doesn’t have to be stressful. Understanding how to get started and what information you need to have to fill it out can feel overwhelming – but we’re here to help.

For the 2025-2026 FAFSA webinar, we gathered our experts William Wozniak, VP of Communications and Student Services at INvestEd, and Peg Keough, Director of Education at College Aid Pro, to speak with Kumba McGill, our webinar host and Relationship Manager at Ascent. Bill, Peg, and Kumba covered all the important details you need to know to navigate this year’s FAFSA.

Get a beginner’s rundown of the FAFSA at 5:50 – What is the FAFSA and why is it important? 

Here are the five major takeaways from our session to help you navigate the FAFSA with confidence:

Not sure if you’re eligible for aid? Apply anyway!

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA, is the starting point for determining eligibility for federal grants and loans, work-study opportunities, state and institutional aid, and even some private scholarships. That’s a whole lot of opportunity in just a single application!

In almost all cases, it’s better to file for the FAFSA than it is to not file for the FAFSA. The amount of aid you could be eligible for might surprise you! Skipping it could mean leaving money on the table.

Learn about eligibility at 21: 20 – Who is eligible & how do I stay eligible?

The 2025-2026 FAFSA has been simplified

Good news! The FAFSA has been significantly streamlined. These updates are designed to make the FAFSA more accessible and less time-consuming. This year, the application has been slimmed down – from 108 questions to only 36! Instead of filling out questions you don’t even need to consider, the form uses something called “skip logic” and will skip questions that don’t apply to you, ensuring a quicker and more user-friendly experience.

Additionally, tax information is now automatically pulled in from the IRS. (Hooray!) This will save time and reduce errors commonly made when transferring information from tax documents.

Make Sure You Understand Key Changes

Every FAFSA season brings changes, and this year is no exception. In addition to simplifying the application and importing tax information, this year’s application aims to provide overall greater access to financial aid. If you haven’t been eligible for some types of aid in the past, you may now be eligible for it this year.

If it’s been a while since you’ve filled out the FAFSA, you might remember the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This has been replaced with the Student Aid Index (SAI). The SAI is calculated slightly differently than the EFC – but many families will not see a big difference.

Family size and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) calculations have changed, which would expand eligibility for Pell Grants.

Furthermore, the FAFSA is now available in more languages – making it accessible to more families.

Listen to the changes in-depth at 17:15 – What’s changed?

Be prepared to submit additional information

Being prepared to submit additional information also means being informed on deadlines. Depending on how you or your student applies for admission (early decision, early action, or regular decision), your college may prioritize your application differently.

Learn more about important due dates and deadlines at 11:15 – Important due dates and deadlines

If your state offers aid, submitting the FAFSA sooner than later is highly encouraged because some states award aid first-come, first-served. Check your state’s deadline on the FAFSA website.

Completing the FAFSA is just the beginning. Colleges may request extra documentation, such as proof of income changes or details about special circumstances. To avoid surprises, submit your FAFSA early – ideally a week before the earliest college deadline.

Documents that you will need include:

• 2023 Federal tax forms and W2s
• Information about untaxed income (e.g. child support, veterans education benefits, etc.)
• Current cash or investment balances

For more on preparing for your application, go to 27:32 – What do I need to get started?

Explore all your options

While the FAFSA is an essential first step, it’s not the only resource for paying for college. Scholarships, private loans, and state-specific aid programs can also play a significant role. Filing the FAFSA can even help you identify gaps that these additional resources might fill.

Hear how our experts view additional options at 1:07 – What are my other options?

In Conclusion

All in all, paying for college doesn’t need to be stressful – but it does take some proactive planning. Starting with the FAFSA ensures you have access to as many opportunities as possible.

For a detailed breakdown of these insights, watch our webinar recording – and don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of student loan experts with any questions!