If you’re applying for college in 2025, you’ve likely heard about potential delays, confusion, or changes to the FAFSA—the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. FAFSA is a critical gateway to Pell Grants, student loans, and work-study opportunities for many low-income students. But this year, technical issues and political shifts have made the process more uncertain than usual.
Given the delayed rollout of the new FAFSA form and recent efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle the Department of Education, families are uncertain about what to expect. While some officials say these changes won’t affect aid distribution, others are raising concerns.
As CNBC recently reported, “Dismantling the Department in haste could cripple the government’s ability to accurately distribute billions in federal student aid, putting millions of students at risk—especially low-income students who lack a financial safety net.”
What’s Causing Potential FAFSA delays in 2025?
This year’s FAFSA process has looked different—and for many, more confusing—due to a combination of system changes and political uncertainty. The new FAFSA form, updated under the FAFSA Simplification Act, launched later than usual, and early users reported glitches and access issues. Schools are still waiting on some student data to begin building financial aid packages, and timelines remain unclear for when those packages will be finalized.
While some delays are confirmed, others remain uncertain. The Department of Education has stated that recent staffing layoffs won’t directly impact students. According to the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), “ED has said that the reductions in force will not directly impact students and families.”
Still, experts remain concerned. A report from USA Today quoted the director of financial aid and scholarships at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, “I just can’t fathom how we won’t see delays.”
For now, there’s no universal delay—but the uncertainty has left many families in limbo, unsure when they’ll get the information they need to plan for college.
Could Shutting Down the DOE Affect Financial Aid?
There hasn’t been a complete breakdown of student aid services—but some are warning that the system is showing signs of strain. As part of efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, the Trump administration recently laid off hundreds of employees, including teams responsible for checking errors and ensuring aid is delivered correctly.
The Guardian reported that quality control staff were among those dismissed. One anonymous DOE official said, “They got rid of all of the quality checkers. It’s only a matter of time [before] they cause the whole system to fail.”
While aid is still being processed, the risks of errors and delays are growing—and students may feel the impact soon if the disruption continues.
What Happens Next—And How to Stay Prepared
Right now, federal financial aid programs like FAFSA and Pell Grants are still active, but the situation is shifting quickly. While no major shutdown has occurred, delays and disruptions are a growing concern—especially for low-income students who rely on timely aid decisions to make college possible.
If you’re waiting for aid, the best thing you can do is stay informed. Submit your FAFSA as soon as you can, keep in close contact with your school’s financial aid office, and watch for updates from trusted news sources and official sites like StudentAid.gov.
