U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon attended a beta testing event for the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event was notable as it marked the earliest successful test launch of the FAFSA form to date and involved nearly a thousand students and families.
Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas and Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn joined Secretary McMahon at the event, which is reported to be the largest-ever first round of FAFSA testing. The new form will be made available to the general public in the coming weeks, ahead of deadlines set by Congress.
“I was honored to join Florida education leaders, families, and students to test the 2026-27 FAFSA form,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda 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.”
“This early FAFSA launch is a win for every student pursuing higher education,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios 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.”
“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,” said Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn. “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 Department of Education began nationwide beta testing last week by giving select groups early access to complete real FAFSA forms before public release later this fall. These participants work with school districts, colleges, and community organizations as part of efforts intended to identify technical issues before full rollout.
Beta participants who submit during this phase do not need to resubmit when applications open broadly; they can make corrections after processing as usual.
The controlled beta approach allows a limited number of users real-world experience with new products so feedback can be gathered on performance issues or bugs prior to official launch.
More information about beta testing or updates regarding availability can be found at FAFSA Central at fafsa.gov/fafsacentral.
