FAFSA submissions for the high school class of 2026 are running far ahead of last year’s pace, signaling stronger early demand for federal aid even as borrowers face sweeping changes to loan rules. The National College Attainment Network reported a 52% year‑over‑year increase in FAFSA completions for the class of 2026 as of Jan. 23, while the Department of Education processed 7.6 million total applications across all filers. Those application gains arrive as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) remakes federal repayment rules. Policy experts warn the changes will reshape who benefits from legacy plans: borrowers who don’t consolidate will remain in older schedules, but new borrowers or consolidators will face new repayment terms. Financial‑aid officers should expect both a temporary uptick in enrollments tied to increased aid access and longer-term advising demands as repayment rules shift.