FAFSA completion rates for the Class of 2026 are rising as the simplified form rolls out and the Department of Education opened the application early. National College Attainment Network tracking shows completion up roughly 12% year‑over‑year with more than a quarter of high‑school seniors filing by late November. Policymakers and college access advocates credit simplified questions, instant FAFSA IDs, and improved outreach for the improvement. Higher completions could translate into stronger enrollment funnels and better targeting of need‑based aid, though state‑by‑state disparities persist: wealthier districts and some states continue to outpace low‑income and urban schools in FAFSA uptake.