Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens for Academic Year 2025-26 student aid

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) has announced that the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open for all Tennessee students. The U.S. Department of Education has officially released the new form, marking a significant milestone in the financial aid process for prospective college students.

The FAFSA opens the door to state and federal scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid that can kick-start college and career success, including Tennessee Promise. The 2025-26 application is available for current and prospective students applying for financial assistance for the 2025-26 academic year.

"We encourage all students to complete the FAFSA as early as possible," said Dr. Steven Gentile, Executive Director of THEC. "Filling out the FAFSA unlocks financial opportunities that make higher education attainable, empowering Tennesseans to achieve their goals while strengthening our workforce and communities."

The FAFSA can be accessed online at www.fafsa.gov. Students should gather their financial documents, such as tax returns and W-2 forms, prior to completing the application process. The earlier the FAFSA is submitted, the better the chances of securing maximum financial aid, including state and federal grants.

Despite a challenging season last year due to the delayed federal roll-out of a new FAFSA, Tennessee virtually matched the prior year’s FAFSA completion results and remained the number one state for overall FAFSA completion in the country. With another record-breaking year for new Tennessee Promise applicants, THEC is anticipating another exciting year for FAFSA completion.

To assist in navigating the FAFSA process, THEC has curated a number of resources for students at CollegeforTN.org to support Tennessee’s FAFSA completion efforts. Student resources include step-by-step FAFSA filing instructions and videos.

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission is committed to helping students and families navigate the financial aid process. For additional information, resources, and support, visit CollegeForTN.org.

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The Tennessee Higher Education Commission was created in 1967 by the Tennessee General Assembly. The Commission develops, implements, and evaluates postsecondary education policies and programs in Tennessee while coordinating the state’s systems of higher education, and is relentlessly focused on increasing the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary credential.