Do You Have to Fill Out the FAFSA Every Year?

October 13, 2026 – In a NerdWallet article about the FAFSA, Shannon Vasconcelos, senior director of Bright Horizons College Coach, shares how families should navigate the financial aid process and understand the importance of completing the FAFSA.

"Just about every college requires U.S. citizens and permanent residents to complete the FAFSA in order to access need-based financial aid," said Shannon Vasconcelos, senior director of Bright Horizons College Coach. "Even if you don’t expect to receive need-based financial aid, completing the FAFSA also allows you to borrow non-need-based federal student and parent loans."

Read the full article here. 

Read additional articles on when the FAFSA is due here and what the FAFSA requirements are here.