# Education Dept. simplifies FAFSA form early

> Education Dept. launches earliest FAFSA form to help families navigate college costs.
- Title: Education Dept. simplifies FAFSA form early · ABC7 New York
- Summary: Education Dept. launches earliest FAFSA form to help families navigate college costs. The Department of Education released the earliest FAFSA form ever…
- Keywords: fafsa, education department, federal student aid, college costs, student aid, fafsa simplification, higher education, news, local, Education, Dept, simplifies
- Source: ABC7 New York — https://abc7ny.com/story/education-department-rolls-fafsa-form-earlier-before/19861293
- Published: 2026-09-23T14:31:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: fafsa, education department, federal student aid, college costs, student aid, fafsa simplification, higher education, news, local
## Education Dept. launches earliest FAFSA form
The Department of Education is launching the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) earlier than ever before to help families navigate rising college costs.

> We've simplified it
## FAFSA form takes 15 minutes average
Department of Education Under Secretary for Higher Education Nicholas Kent said the form takes 15 minutes on average instead of hours or days to complete.

> Instead of it taking hours or even days to fill out, it takes 15 minutes on average
## New FAFSA form features family-friendly changes
The form includes clearer language that removes confusing jargon and allows students to invite contributors via text or email.

> clearer, less complicated language that removes "confusing jargon"
## Secretary of Education supports simplified FAFSA
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated the new form was redesigned with students and families in mind to improve access to federal student aid.

> redesigned with students and families in mind
## FAFSA launched before Oct. 1 for second year
This is the second year in a row the Department of Education has launched the FAFSA form before the mandated Oct. 1 deadline set by the FAFSA Simplification Act of 2020.

> second year in a row
## Trump administration prioritizes student aid access
The administration emphasized policies that help students and families access financial aid to get on with their lives despite previous delays under Biden.

> We want students and families to be able to access this form, complete it easily, and get the financial aid that they need to get on with their lives
## College affordability remains key concern
Higher education experts note that while FAFSA simplification helps, college costs remain a top concern for families and students.

> affordability is still families' prime concern
## Key takeaway

The Department of Education released the earliest FAFSA form ever, simplifying it to 15 minutes for families to apply for federal student aid.