NCAN estimates the class of 2025’s FAFSA completion rate was 53.9%, compared to about 47% for the class of 2024 by about June 30 last year. That 53.9% is not only close to the class of 2023’s (the last cycle to open October 1) but also to the pre-pandemic classes of 2017-2019.* The class of 2025 also recorded the highest number of FAFSA completions by about June 30 that NCAN has on record by about 60,000 students.
The findings will come as a relief to practitioners and policymakers across the country, following an extremely difficult 2024-25 FAFSA cycle which saw FAFSAs decline sharply last year. These findings also reflect a smoother experience for students and families and are also a likely signal of continued strong demand for higher education nationally.
Increasing FAFSA completions and expanding access to financial aid was, of course, the intention of FAFSA simplification. After a difficult 2024-25 cycle, the FAFSA process appears back on-track. Many students and families are reporting a smoother FAFSA completion experience. It’s a tremendous achievement that has been accomplished by a concerted effort from the field, including and especially NCAN members. Our collective nationwide goal for the class of 2026 should be to achieve an all-time high in FAFSA completion and then to push even further from there.