By Emma Patch
From Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
After a challenging period in which a redesign led to widespread delays in applying for and receiving financial aid, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) appears to be back on track. The new and improved form, which includes changes courtesy of the FAFSA Simplification Act passed by Congress this summer, will become widely available for the 2026-27 college year on Oct. 1, its traditional release date.
