MADISON, Wis.— Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman joined chancellors and school district leaders this week to encourage students and families to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2026-27 academic year.
Filling out the FAFSA is a critical component in the college-preparation process.
“The Universities of Wisconsin unlock educational opportunities all across the state, and we want to ensure that all students who want to take advantage of those opportunities are able to do so,” Rothman said. “We know that financial assistance is critical to helping some students make the decision to attend higher education.”
Typically, the FAFSA opens to students and families on Oct. 1, but the U.S. Department of Education announced last week that the 2026-2027 FAFSA was live ahead of schedule and ready for students to complete. Students should visit studentaid.gov to get the process started. More information about federal, state, and university aid can also be found at wisconsin.edu.
Filling out the FAFSA is required to access federal financial aid such as the Pell Grant and student loans.
Federal aid is determined based on family income. However, Rothman and educators encouraged all students planning to attend higher education in 2026-27 to complete the FAFSA because it can serve as the basis for state and university aid, including scholarships.
QUOTES FROM UNIVERSITY AND SCHOOL LEADERS
“We take great pride in our affordability, but for many we know the cost of college can be a barrier. All families should complete the FAFSA even if they are not sure they are eligible. A college education can change lives and unlock wonderful opportunities, as it did for me as a first-generation college student.”
—James Beeby, Chancellor, UW-La Crosse
“One of the foundational goals in UW-Eau Claire’s Vision 2030 plan is to create multiple doorways to the university for students from a variety of backgrounds. As we create new doorways, the keys to unlocking those doorways can be found in federal financial aid.”—Michael Carney, Interim Chancellor, UW-Eau Claire
“The message is simple: complete the FAFSA now to unlock financial aid. FAFSA provides opportunities for access to all students. Students and families take this opportunity to gain knowledge for college that could benefit you on your journey. Our counselors and school staff stand ready to help every student and family navigate the completion of the FAFSA application.”—Dr. Monica Kelsey-Brown, Superintendent, Waunakee Community School District
“With Wisconsin students leaving over $50 million in federal Pell Grants unclaimed in 2021, we’re working to ensure that every FAFSA completed opens the door to opportunity—because a family’s financial situation should never dictate their child’s educational destination.”—Jeff Holmes, Superintendent, Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District
“The FAFSA can open doors to scholarships, grants, and other financial resources that make college more accessible. Our Eau Claire Area School District high school Student Services staff are ready to help our students take advantage of this valuable financial aid opportunity.”
—Mike Johnson, Superintendent, Eau Claire Area School District
“We are thankful to have amazing teachers who embed college and career-ready opportunities in every course and open students’ eyes to opportunities after high school. Our talented counselors help students explore college options, identify interests, and engage in career exploration. And we are fortunate to have a partnership with La Crosse Promise to host Future Centers in our schools that help students explore their college and career interests further.”—Aaron Engel, Superintendent, School District of La Crosse
“Everyone in our District works together to support students during their K-12 experience. Our ultimate goal is that our students are aware of and prepared for their post high school plan, which may include attending college, joining the military, or working.”—Julie Arentz, Counselor, West Salem High School
“Students can make better decisions about which college they’ll attend when they know the federal aid they’ll receive. Completing the FAFSA gives them this important information and can open doors to financial resources including the Wisconsin Tuition Promise. Families often comment that the FAFSA was easier to complete than they thought, and how they’re thankful they’re able to check this item off their to-do list and focus on the rest of the milestones in their student’s senior year.”
—Chrissy DeLong, Counselor, Onalaska High School
“In the past, helping our most vulnerable students file for financial aid was incredibly challenging. As counselors, what has been exciting for us is how the new FAFSA and the FAFSA Simplification Act have streamlined the process and made it much more student-friendly. My job is to empower students and with the new FAFSA, I’m able to provide a more direct and efficient path to the aid they deserve. The FAFSA changes have transformed college from being a financial impossibility to a genuine opportunity for many students.”—Marcy Smith, Counselor, Middleton High School
The Universities of Wisconsin serve approximately 164,400 students. Awarding more than 37,000 degrees annually, these 13 public universities are Wisconsin’s talent pipeline, putting graduates in position to increase their earning power, contribute to their communities, and make Wisconsin a better place to live. Nearly 90 percent of in-state Universities of Wisconsin graduates stay in the state five years after earning a degree. The universities provide a 23:1 return on state investment. The Universities of Wisconsin also contribute to the richness of Wisconsin’s culture and economy with groundbreaking research, new companies and patents, and boundless creative intellectual energy. Learn more at wisconsin.edu.