Thursday, October 2, 2025

Broward County Tests New FAFSA Form

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Introduction to the New FAFSA Form

Students in Broward are getting a head start with their financial aid applications after the county was selected as a testing site for a "new and improved" form. The new application, not yet widely available, is supposed to help families apply and receive aid quickly. Parents and students filled the auditorium Wednesday at Broward College in Davie for a chance to be the first to apply for aid through the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, better known as FAFSA.

Benefits of the New FAFSA Form

Among them were Venetia Turner and her daughter, Zahra. "Being able to have financial aid to go to college is really a good step for everybody," Zahra Turner said. For almost an hour, families got to ask questions as a FAFSA expert gave them a step-by-step tutorial. It’s all part of the beta testing phase before the new FAFSA application is officially rolled out to the rest of the country for the 2026-27 school year.

Why Broward County was Selected

Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn said the county was selected in part because its students apply for FAFSA at higher rates. "We know that for many of our families, the only lever they can pull is a quality education and quality post-secondary opportunity, so the FAFSA is so important for our students to be able to take advantage of opportunities beyond high school," he said.

Addressing Previous Issues

In 2024, FAFSA applications were plagued with errors after an overhaul of the system led to glitches and delays for millions of students. U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said those are being addressed. "We wanna get the bugs out," she said. But the Department of Education has seen mass layoffs as the Trump administration seeks to dismantle it. Questions emerged on whether there will be enough staff to handle new applications. "We’re up and ready to run on that, and having some AI help," McMahon said.

Testing the New Application

Zahra Turner, who’s interested in medical school, said the process of applying was "simple and straightforward." Once the beta testing phase is finished, the Department of Education will roll out the new FAFSA application in the beginning of October.

Conclusion

The new FAFSA form is expected to make the application process easier and faster for students and their families. With the beta testing phase underway in Broward County, the Department of Education is working to address previous issues and ensure a smooth rollout of the new application. As the new form becomes available to the rest of the country, students can look forward to a more streamlined and efficient process for applying for financial aid.

FAQs

Q: What is the new FAFSA form?
A: The new FAFSA form is a revised version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, designed to make the application process easier and faster for students and their families.
Q: Why was Broward County selected for beta testing?
A: Broward County was selected because its students apply for FAFSA at higher rates, making it an ideal location for testing the new application.
Q: When will the new FAFSA form be available to the rest of the country?
A: The new FAFSA form is expected to be rolled out in the beginning of October, after the beta testing phase is completed.
Q: How will the Department of Education address previous issues with the FAFSA application?
A: The Department of Education is working to address previous issues, including glitches and delays, and will utilize AI help to ensure a smooth rollout of the new application.

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