2025-26 FAFSA Help from the U.S. Department of Education

The 2025-26 FAFSA is NOW OPEN!

·       Federal Student Aid Estimator -- supplies an estimate of the 2025-26 Student Aid Index (SAI) and federal Pell Grant eligibility calculation;

·       “Who’s the Parent on the FAFSA Form?” wizard -- a new, stand-alone tool to help students and families determine who will need to provide contributor information on the 2025-26 FAFSA form before starting the application;

·       “Creating Your StudentAid.gov Account” page -- a resource that explains everything families and partners need to know about creating a StudentAid.gov account;

·       Pro Tips for Completing the FAFSA Form -- updated information for preparing to complete and submit the FAFSA form; and

·       Federal Student Aid YouTube Channel: FAFSA videos -- videos to help students and families understand the importance of the FAFSA form, who is a FAFSA contributor, and what happens after submitting the form.

Note about Foster Students or Legal Guardianship:

A student is considered to be in an independent student status:

• If the student was in foster care (also called out-of-home care (OHC) in Wisconsin) for at least one day on or after their 13th birthday. This is true regardless of which state or tribal nation’s child welfare system they were in.

• If the student is or was in legal guardianship with someone other than their parent or stepparent, as determined by a court in their state.