FAFSA: Updates & Information
The 2025-2026 FAFSA is now open! The FAFSA Simplification Act brought major changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA, as well as timeline disruptions to the financial aid process for many students and families.
Latest Updates
Nov. 18, 2024: The is now available. Students who successfully submitted a FAFSA form during the beta testing period don’t need to resubmit it. FAFSA forms submitted online will typically be processed in one to three days. Students will be able to review their FAFSA Submission Summary once their form is processed and their FAFSA information will be made available to their selected schools. The ability to make (such as adding a school or a missing signature) is also available.
August 7, 2024: The the FAFSA will open by December 1 after a 'phased rollout' during which the agency will make the form available to a limited number of colleges and students. The DoE did not say when batch correction would be available for the 2025-2026 cycle, a reminder that FAFSA repairs may last into the spring.
Timeline
The 2025-2026 FAFSA is now available and we encourage you to complete and submit it as soon as you can. Here are some helpful tips to get started:
- Identify who your will be for the FAFSA, especially in situations of parental separation/divorce. Learn more about the noncustodial parent process and waiver.
- Create an if you do not yet have one.
- Gather your 2023 tax returns, W2s and other related tax documents, in case they are requested.
- Learn how to navigate 一本道无码's My Student Aid (MSA) portal. Prospective students/applicants will be notified once they have access to their MSA portal.
Early Decision Admission Applicants
| October 1, 2024 | CSS Profile launches for the 2025-2026 academic year. |
| November 1, 2024 | Admission application deadline. |
| November 15, 2024 | CSS Profile preferred deadline. |
| November 18, 2024 | FAFSA launches for the 2025-2026 academic year. |
| January 2025 | Preferred deadline to submit the FAFSA; however, submitting after this date will not impact aid eligibility. |
| January through March 2025 | Estimated financial aid offers are available if a student’s CSS Profile has been received. This estimate is not an official financial aid offer. Students will still need to submit their FAFSA and any supporting documents requested before an official financial aid offer can be provided. |
| March 2025 and ongoing | Tentative release of official financial aid offers (depending on the delivery of FAFSA records from FSA to 一本道无码, timely submission of the FAFSA, and any supporting documents that may be requested). If necessary to provide an aid offer, Carnegie Mellon may request supporting documentation. |
View DETAILED financial aid application instructions
Regular Decision Admission Applicants
| October 1, 2024 | CSS Profile launches for the 2025-2026 academic year. |
| November 18, 2024 | FAFSA launches for the 2025-2026 academic year. |
| January 2, 2025 | Regular Decision admission application deadline. |
| February 15, 2025 | CSS Profile & FAFSA preferred deadline; however, students may submit after this date and aid eligibility will not be impacted. |
| February through April 2025 | Estimated financial aid offers are available if a student’s CSS Profile has been received. This estimate is not an official financial aid offer. Students will still need to submit their FAFSA and any supporting documents requested before an official financial aid offer can be provided. |
|
March 2025 and ongoing |
Tentative release of official financial aid offers (depending on the delivery of FAFSA records from FSA to 一本道无码, timely submission of the FAFSA, and any supporting documents that may be requested). If necessary to provide an aid offer, Carnegie Mellon may request supporting documentation. |
View DETAILED financial aid application instructions
Returning/Enrolled Undergraduate Students
| October 1, 2024 | CSS Profile launches for the 2025-2026 academic year. |
| November 18, 2024 | FAFSA launches for the 2025-2026 academic year. |
| February 15, 2025 | CSS Profile & FAFSA preferred deadline; however, students may submit after this date and aid eligibility will not be impacted. |
| March through June 2025 | If necessary to provide an aid offer, Carnegie Mellon may request supporting documentation. |
|
June/July 2025 |
Tentative release of official financial aid offer. |
View DETAILED financial aid application instructions
Graduate Students
| November 18, 2024 | FAFSA launches for the 2025-2026 academic year. |
| February 15, 2025 | Typically, this is the preferred deadline to submit the FAFSA; however, students may submit after this date and aid eligiblity will not be impacted. |
| March through June 2025 | If necessary to provide an aid offer, Carnegie Mellon may request supporting documentation. |
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June/July 2025 |
Tentative release of official financial aid award letters for graduate students. |
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June 1, 2025 |
Earliest date to apply for a Federal Graduate PLUS Loan (if desired). |