FAFSA completions for the Class of 2026 rose sharply after the simplified form opened earlier than required and eliminated friction such as separate FAFSA ID creation, prompting advocates to call the uptick historic. The National College Attainment Network reported more than a million seniors filed by late November, a near-double digit increase from prior low points, improving early financial-aid visibility for students. Colleges are also expanding AI in admissions: Southeast Missouri State and other institutions reported using chatbots and automated tools to process inquiries, respond to applicants and speed review workflows. Administrators said AI can increase capacity but warned about governance, bias mitigation and the need for human oversight. Key actors: National College Attainment Network, Department of Education, Southeast Missouri State University admissions teams.