The FAFSA was not frozen, but processing was paused and then restarted under new leadership

In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Education paused FAFSA processing while the Trump administration reviewed the form and the department's operations. The pause lasted several weeks. Processing resumed in February 2025, though with changes to how the form works and which income information the government now requires. The form itself — the Free Application for Federal Student Aid — did not disappear, and students could still submit it during the pause, but the department was not reviewing or approving new applications.

The pause affected students applying for the 2025–26 school year. High school seniors and current college students who had already submitted their FAFSA before the pause were generally not affected, though some saw delays in receiving their aid packages from schools. Students who submitted during the pause had to wait longer than usual to learn what aid they might receive.

Key Takeaways

  • FAFSA processing paused in January 2025 and resumed in February 2025 under new department leadership.
  • The pause delayed aid decisions for students applying for the 2025–26 school year, but did not prevent submission.
  • The form now requires different income information than it did in previous years, so instructions changed.
  • Schools set their own aid deadlines, so contact your school directly to learn how the pause affected your aid package timeline.
  • Students who submitted FAFSA before the pause generally received their aid decisions on a normal schedule.

What changed about FAFSA itself

The Department of Education simplified the FAFSA form under the new administration. The form now asks for fewer pieces of income information and no longer requires students to report untaxed income or certain other financial details that were part of the previous version. The goal, according to the department, was to make the form shorter and faster to complete.

These changes mean that the financial aid formula — the way the government calculates how much aid a student might receive — also changed. Some students will see larger aid packages as a result, and others will see smaller ones. Schools have not yet published data on how widespread these changes are or which types of students are most affected.

Why the pause happened

The Trump administration stated that it paused FAFSA processing to review the form's design and the department's handling of student data. The previous FAFSA version, launched in October 2023, had experienced significant technical problems during its first year, including a delayed rollout and errors in aid calculations. The new administration used the pause to redesign the form rather than fix the existing one.

The pause was not a freeze on federal student aid itself. Pell Grants, Direct Loans, and other federal aid programs continued to exist and remained available to students who had already received their aid packages. The pause only affected the processing of new FAFSA submissions.

How the pause affected your school's timeline

Schools use FAFSA information to build financial aid packages and set their own deadlines for when students must submit the form. Because FAFSA processing was delayed, many schools pushed back their aid deadlines from the typical May or June date to later in the summer. However, each school made its own decision about how to handle the delay.

Contact your school's financial aid office directly to learn what deadline applies to you. Do not assume your school's deadline is the same as another school's, even if both are public universities in the same state. The financial aid office can also tell you whether the pause affected when you will receive your aid package.

What to do if you have not submitted FAFSA yet

Submit your FAFSA as soon as you can. Processing is now moving again, though it may take longer than it did in previous years. Schools continue to review applications and send out aid packages, but the timeline is compressed because of the earlier pause.

You will need your Social Security number, date of birth, and either your tax return or tax information from the IRS. If you do not have a tax return yet, you can use an IRS transcript or estimate your income. The FAFSA website (fafsa.gov) walks you through what documents you need and how to retrieve them.

How this affects loans and other aid

Federal student loans, Pell Grants, and work-study positions all depend on FAFSA information. If your FAFSA was delayed during the pause, your school may have delayed sending you information about loans or grants as well. This does not mean you are ineligible for aid — it means the school is waiting for your FAFSA to be processed before it can calculate your package.

Private loans and scholarships do not require FAFSA, though many schools use FAFSA information to determine merit aid. If you need to borrow money before your FAFSA is processed, ask your school whether you can take out a private loan in the meantime or whether the school offers emergency aid.

State and school-specific aid programs

Some states and schools use FAFSA information to distribute their own aid programs. If your state or school offers need-based grants or scholarships, the pause may have delayed those decisions as well. Check your state's higher education agency website or your school's financial aid page to learn whether state or school aid was affected.

Merit-based aid — scholarships based on grades or test scores rather than financial need — does not depend on FAFSA and was not affected by the pause. If you received a merit scholarship offer from a school, that offer stands regardless of FAFSA delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still get federal student loans if my FAFSA was delayed?

Yes. Once your FAFSA is processed, you can borrow federal loans for the 2025–26 school year. If you need money before that happens, contact your school about private loans or emergency aid. Your school's financial aid office can tell you how long processing typically takes from submission to approval.

Did the pause affect students who already got their aid packages?

No. Students who received their aid packages before the pause in January 2025 were not affected. The pause only delayed new applications submitted during those weeks in January and early February.

What if my school's deadline has already passed?

Contact your school's financial aid office immediately. Many schools extended their deadlines because of the pause, and some will still accept late submissions. Schools have discretion to accept applications after their stated deadline, especially if the delay was caused by a government pause.

Does the new FAFSA form mean I will get more or less aid?

That depends on your family's financial situation and which income items the new form no longer asks about. Some students will see larger aid packages, and others will see smaller ones. Your school can show you your aid package once your FAFSA is processed, and you can compare it to previous years if you have siblings in school.

Is FAFSA still required to get federal student aid?

Yes. FAFSA is still the only way to apply for federal loans, Pell Grants, and work-study. The pause delayed processing, but it did not change the requirement. You must submit FAFSA to be considered for federal aid.