U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon participated in a beta testing event for the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in Fort Lauderdale. The event was attended by Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas, Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn, and nearly a thousand students and families.
This gathering marked the earliest successful test launch of the FAFSA form to date and represented the largest first round of testing for the application. The new FAFSA form will be available to the general public in the coming weeks, before the deadline 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.”
Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas added: “This early FAFSA launch is a win for every student pursuing higher education. 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.”
Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn commented on how completing the FAFSA can provide opportunities for financial assistance: “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 Department of Education began nationwide beta testing last week, giving early access to a limited group of students who work with school districts, colleges, or community organizations during this phase. These participants help identify technical issues with the application so improvements can be made ahead of its full release later this fall.
Students who fill out their applications during beta testing do not need to resubmit after processing; they may make corrections as they would during regular cycles.
A beta launch allows controlled user testing under real conditions so that any problems can be addressed before wide public availability.
For more details about FAFSA beta testing or updates on next year’s application process, information is available at https://fafsa.gov/fafsacentral.
