APLU Statement on Delayed 2025-26 FAFSA Release

Washington, DC – Association of Public and Land-grant Universities President Mark Becker today released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement the 2025-26 FAFSA will not be fully available to students until on or before December 1.

“The chaotic FAFSA rollout has had a profound – and potentially generational – impact on students who rely on federal student aid to access and complete college. APLU appreciates the clarity the U.S. Department of Education provided on next steps and implores the Department to continue engaging public universities in its process to ensure transparency and coordination.

“Now that it has announced its schedule for the 2025-2026 school year, it’s imperative the Department meet the delivery date with a flawless rollout and fully functional FAFSA. On or before December 1 must be on or before December 1.”