ICYMI: U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Joins Florida Education Leaders and Families for FAFSA Testing Event

August 14, 2025

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U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Joins Florida Education Leaders and Families for FAFSA Testing Event

Fort Lauderdale — Yesterday, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon attended a successful 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) beta testing event, marking the earliest successful test launch of the FAFSA form in history. Secretary McMahon was joined by Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas, Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn, and nearly a thousand students and families. This event was the largest-ever first round of testing, and the form will be available to the general public in the coming weeks, ahead of the congressionally mandated deadline.

“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.”

Beta Testing:

Last week, the Department began a nationwide beta testing phase, granting early access to the 2026–27 FAFSA form to a limited group of students. These participants, supported by school districts, colleges, and community-based organizations, are helping the Department identify technical issues, gather feedback, and make improvements before the public launch this fall. Later this month, any current or aspiring postsecondary student will be able to request early access to the form at StudentAid.gov.

Students who submit the 2026–27 FAFSA form during the beta phase complete the actual FAFSA form and will not need to resubmit. Once the form is processed, they will be able to make corrections just as they would during the regular application cycle.

Consistent with industry best practices, a beta launch is a controlled release that allows a limited group of users to test a product—like the FAFSA form—in a real-world environment. This approach allows the Department to identify bugs, optimize performance, and ensure a smoother user experience when the form officially launches to the public.

To find more information about the FAFSA beta and the 2026-27 form, visit FAFSA Central at fafsa.gov/fafsacentral.

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