U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Fort Lauderdale to attend a beta testing event for the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The event, which took place yesterday, marked the earliest successful test launch of the FAFSA form in history. Nearly a thousand students and families participated in what officials described as the largest first round of FAFSA testing to date.
Secretary McMahon was joined by Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas and Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn. The officials highlighted the importance of simplifying and streamlining the financial aid application process for students nationwide.
“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 recently started a nationwide beta phase for early access to the 2026–27 FAFSA form by a select group of students supported by school districts, colleges, and community organizations. This controlled release aims to identify technical issues before full public rollout later this fall through StudentAid.gov.
Students who complete their applications during this beta period will not need to resubmit them when public access opens; they will also have an opportunity for corrections after processing if needed.
A beta launch is used across industries as a way for real users—here, actual applicants—to help identify bugs or performance issues before wider availability.
More information about both beta participation and general updates regarding FAFSA can be found at https://fafsa.gov/fafsacentral.
