Thursday, August 14, 2025  
By: Karina Delgado, Communications Intern

Reading Time: Three minutes

The 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is expected to open on October 1, 2025! This is every student’s chance to apply for federal grants, work-study, and loans to help pay for college.

Whether you’re a high school senior or returning undergraduate or graduate student, completing the FAFSA is a critical step in securing financial aid!  To help students, families, and postsecondary access and attainment practitioners navigate the process with confidence, the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) has consolidated a range of tools and resources into a single page designed to enhance the FAFSA completion experience. The NCAN 2026-27 FAFSA website will launch with limited resources and be updated throughout the fall to include the latest Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) updates.

Tools and Resources Available

NCAN’s dedicated page for the 2026-27 FAFSA offers essential resources to help both students and shareholders. Here’s a look at the available tools and resources:

1. Practitioner Resources: Access training decks, how- to guides, fact sheets, and infographics to help you explain the FAFSA process to students and families. These resources include tools from NCAN, partner organizations, and FSA, ensuring you’re up to date on the latest FAFSA information.
2. Awareness Toolkit: This set of outreach materials is designed to inform students, parents, and the broader community about the importance of completing FAFSA. Social media posts and messaging, available in both English and Spanish, can be used to raise awareness and encourage more students complete their FAFSA.
3. State Systems and Financial Aid: Every state has its own financial aid policies and deadlines, so make sure you’re prepared with state-specific resources. This section provides important information about deadlines, FAFSA completion approaches, and state aid opportunities.
4. FSA Resources: FSA offers a range of official tools, including guides to the FAFSA form, financial aid estimators, and help with creating a StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID). These resources are invaluable for both students and practitioners seeking to navigate the technical aspects of the FAFSA.
5. FAFSA Training Opportunities: NCAN and other organizations are hosting webinars throughout the FAFSA cycle. These training sessions cover important topics, from the basic FAFSA process to advanced tips for overcoming common obstacles.
6. NCAN’s FAFSA Tracker: This interactive dashboard tracks FAFSA completion rates across states, helping you monitor progress and identify where more support is needed. This tool provides critical data that can help shape your FAFSA outreach efforts.
7. Frequently Asked Questions: Have questions about the FAFSA? Well, this section provides answers to most common questions, from how to handle tax information to what happens after you submit the application.

With these resources, practitioners are equipped to guide students through every step of the FAFSA process, from understanding the form to submitting it on time.

Be FAFSA Ready Today

The FAFSA is an essential step for students planning on attending college, and with the right tools and resources, the process can be seamless. Visit NCAN’s 2026-27 FAFSA page to access valuable resources to start planning your student’s path to higher education. Additionally, the 2026-27 FAFSA prototype is now available and provides another asset for school and community partners to begin preparing students.

The FAFSA may feel overwhelming, but with these tools and resources, you can prepare your students and families for a successful experience!

NCAN 2026-27 FAFSA PAGE

Read More: 

• Could Financial Literacy Curricula Promote FAFSA Completion?
• FAFSA Completions Bounce Back with Class of 2025, Return to Pre-Pandemic Rates
• What’s Behind West Virginia’s FAFSA Completion Surge?