FAFSA completion for the high‑school class of 2026 has jumped sharply: 38.6% of seniors had filed by the end of January, a 51.9% increase over last year and the largest year‑over‑year gain since the form’s simplification. The surge includes a 66% rise among seniors from low‑income high schools and a 63% increase from high‑minority schools, with more students qualifying for maximum Pell Grants. Higher completion rates could expand access to aid and shift enrollment patterns; college access organizations say a smoother FAFSA rollout is restoring trust in the financial aid system for lower‑income students.