U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visits Florida to help students and families test the 2026-27 FAFSA form successfully
Fort Lauderdale, Florida – In a landmark event for higher education access, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon joined Florida education leaders, students, and families for the earliest-ever beta testing of the 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. The event, held yesterday, drew nearly a thousand participants and marks a significant step in the federal government’s effort to make college financial aid more accessible and efficient.
“I was honored to join Florida education leaders, families, and students to test the 2026-27 FAFSA form,” said Secretary McMahon. “Just two short years ago, students across the country were unable to access the form and schools could not process aid on time. Today, nearly a thousand students and families were able to successfully complete the form in minutes. Under President Trump’s leadership, our team has prioritized efficiency and simplicity to better serve American families – and we are delivering.”
The event, hosted in collaboration with Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas and Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn, represents the largest first round of FAFSA testing in history. Florida students and their families were among the first in the nation to experience the new, streamlined process, which aims to reduce errors, speed up aid processing, and ensure students can access scholarships and grants more quickly.
“This early FAFSA launch is a win for every student pursuing higher education,” said Commissioner Kamoutsas. “We are proud that Florida students and their families are among the first in the nation to test and shape this new, streamlined process. I thank U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon for selecting Florida to help lead this effort.”
Superintendent Hepburn highlighted the importance of the FAFSA in opening doors for students. “Completing the FAFSA is one of the most critical steps our students can take toward securing their future. It opens doors to scholarships, grants, and financial aid that many families may not realize are available,” he said. “We are proud to be selected once again to participate in the 2026–27 FAFSA Beta. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas’s presence today underscores the national and state-level commitment to expanding college access and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed.”
The beta testing phase, which began last week nationwide, allows a limited group of students to access the 2026–27 FAFSA form ahead of the official public launch. Participants are supported by school districts, colleges, and community organizations, helping the Department of Education identify potential technical issues, gather valuable feedback, and implement improvements before the form is widely available. Importantly, students completing the FAFSA during the beta period submit the actual application and will not need to resubmit once the official launch occurs. They will also retain the ability to make corrections and updates just as during the standard application cycle.
Beta testing is a widely used industry practice designed to ensure that large-scale digital products function smoothly under real-world conditions. By releasing the FAFSA form to a limited group first, the Department of Education can detect and resolve bugs, optimize performance, and enhance user experience prior to the nationwide launch.
The public will have the opportunity to access the new FAFSA form later this fall, though students interested in early access can request the form at StudentAid.gov. Officials emphasized that the early testing not only improves the technical side of the application but also demonstrates a broader commitment to removing barriers for families seeking financial support for higher education.
For more information about the FAFSA beta and the 2026–27 form, students and families are encouraged to visit FAFSA Central at fafsa.gov/fafsacentral. The Fort Lauderdale event underscores the dedication of both federal and state education leaders to ensuring that every student, regardless of background, can successfully navigate the financial aid process and pursue their educational goals.
