FAFSA® UPDATES

The 2025-2026 FAFSA® is projected to open and start accepting applications starting December 1st.

Priority FAFSA® Deadline for Financial Aid at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi is February 15th.

However, we highly recommend you complete the FAFSA® application as soon as possible to ensure our office receives your applicant information.

The FAFSA® priority deadline date is when you must have your FAFSA® filed to receive priority consideration in the financial aid awarding process by the TAMU-CC.

IMPORTANT:

• FAFSA® applications filed after May 1st, will be considered for limited forms of financial assistance.

Filing your application by the deadline does not guarantee award funds from various programs but increases the chances of you receiving it.

The Department of Education has not released the 2025-2026 FAFSA®, however once they do, we will upload how to make corrections if necessary right here!

Our financial aid advisors are here to help you navigate the FAFSA® process. If you need assistance from one of our advisors to complete your FAFSA®, you can schedule an appointment online or call 361.825.2338. Click here to schedule an appointment.

Our financial aid team will also be available in person during FAFSA® Workshop events like Island Day, Admitted Student Day, or various workshop events throughout the semester (see latest dates at top of page).

Legislation was passed in 2020 aimed at simplifying the FAFSA® process. These changes have brought about several changes in calculating aid eligibility, continuing with the 2025-2026 academic year.

• Less Questions: The FAFSA® will only ask 46 questions
• Tax/Income Data: Changes made in 2024-2025, all persons listing tax information on the FAFSA® will be required to use the IRS Direct Data Exchange (DDX) to share tax information or confirm non-filing status.
• Student Aid Index (SAI): The FAFSA® previously calculated an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). Now the FAFSA® will produce the Student Aid Index (SAI). This number, unlike the EFC, can be negative with the minimum SAI being -1500.
• No benefit for having siblings in college: The FAFSA® previously divided the EFC proportionally based on the number of the household in college. The elimination of this "sibling discount" will be the biggest change in aid eligibility for some students
• Automatic Pell Grants based on income and household size: Families making less than 175% and single parents making less than 225% of the federal poverty level will see their students receive a maximum Federal Pell Grant award. Minimum Pell Grants will be guaranteed to students from households below 275%, 325%, 350%, or 400% of the poverty level, depending on household structure. 
• Larger Income Protection Allowances: The Income Protection Allowance (IPA) covers a family's basic living expenses and is excluded from SAI formulas. New, larger IPAs lower the amount of student or parent income considered to be available to pay for college. IPAs will increase by 20% for parents, up to about $2400 (35%) for most students, and up to about $6500 (60%) for students who are single parents.
• Inclusion of family farms or small businesses: When required, families will now report the value of their farms or businesses. 

Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to create a FSA account and submit a FAFSA® form if your contributor does not have a SSN.

We would be happy to help you and your student navigate their financial aid this academic year, however there have been some changes to the federal regulations regarding confidentiality of Federal Tax Information (FTI), including data such Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) or Pell Eligibility. Please see our Information for Parents page to review the policies regarding consent to disclose information protected under these new regulations.

Click here for the Department of Educations guide for parents.