U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Fort Lauderdale to attend a 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) beta testing event. The event marked the earliest successful test launch of the FAFSA form, with participation from nearly a thousand students and families. Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas and Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn were also present.
The event is described as the largest-ever first round of FAFSA testing, with the new form set to become available to the public in the coming weeks, ahead of its required 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.”
Last week, a nationwide beta testing phase began for early access to the 2026–27 FAFSA form by a limited group of students supported by school districts, colleges, and community organizations. The Department aims to identify technical issues during this period before releasing it more broadly later this fall.
Students who submit their forms during beta do not need to resubmit them later; they will be able to make corrections as needed once processing begins.
A beta launch allows users in real-world conditions to test new products so bugs can be found and performance optimized before full public release.
More information about FAFSA beta testing can be found at fafsa.gov/fafsacentral.
