The FAFSA: No Major Changes & a High Tax Data Match

By Rick Cox and Siobahn Arbogast

• There were no major changes for 2025-2026. Most of the changes were to improve instructions and guidance to assist the applicant with the FAFSA, such as the signature process, the contributor invitation process and the unsub only question.
• The Department of Education has added warnings and other language to encourage consent. The department has also provided confirmation during the FAFSA process that the IRS data was successfully transferred.
• Please note that the Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) will be different for the applicant each award year.
• The department had a high matching rate with the IRS – 67 percent matched and tax data transferred, 31.5 percent were indicated as non-filers and 1.5 percent could not be found.
• Reprocessing codes for 2025-2026 will be the same as 2024-2025.
• FPS Correction reason added “A” for Federal Tax Information Module Update – this is new and is expected to begin this winter.
• FAFSA Partner Portal replaced FAA Access to CPS Online. There are separate URLs for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026. The login is the same for both.
• A future update will allow institutions to request a duplicate ISIR, ISIR file or a complete YTD (year-to-date) file. Once available, it will be available for both 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.
• The signature page option only permits you to collect a signature for the FAFSA. It can’t be used for consent of Federal Tax Information (FTI) data to be transferred. The applicant and all contributors must still consent directly with the Department of Education.

Rick Cox is Global’s Executive Director of Regulatory Affairs and Compliance. Siobahn Arbogast is Director of Title IV Accounting.