U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon visited Fort Lauderdale to participate in the beta testing event for the 2026-27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. The event, which took place yesterday, brought together nearly a thousand students and families, making it 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 test marked the earliest successful launch of a FAFSA form in history, with plans to make it available to the general public 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.”
The Department began nationwide beta testing last week by providing early access to a limited group of students who worked with school districts, colleges, and community organizations during this phase. This process helps identify technical issues before full public release later this fall.
Students who complete their forms during beta testing will not need to resubmit them when regular applications open; they can also make corrections as needed after processing begins.
A beta launch allows select users early real-world experience with a product so that bugs can be found and performance improved prior to broader rollout.
More information about this year’s FAFSA beta program is available at https://fafsa.gov/fafsacentral.
