Submitted by Diana Hanford
FORT LAUDERDALE FL — Broward Education Foundation and Bridge 2 Life are proud to announce their selection by the U.S. Department of Education as one of only six Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) chosen nationwide to participate in the beta testing of the 2025–26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This pilot program, beginning October 1, 2024, offers selected organizations early access to the FAFSA, providing an opportunity to help refine and improve the application process before its full-scale launch in December.
The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) selected six sites for the first round of beta testing, which includes Broward Education Foundation and Bridge 2 Life in Florida, along with Alabama Possible (AL), College AIM (GA), Education is Freedom (TX), the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara (CA), and the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria (VA). All six organizations are members of the National College Attainment Network (NCAN), which aims to improve access to higher education and increase FAFSA completion rates.
“We are thrilled to be among the select organizations chosen for this crucial beta testing,” said James A. Knapp, president and CEO of Broward Education Foundation “This opportunity allows us to directly impact students in Broward County by ensuring they can access financial aid and begin their college journeys more efficiently.”
Key Responsibilities for Beta Test Participants:
Recruit students, including new college applicants, to submit the FAFSA form during the beta period.
Guide students through the process of identifying contributors, obtaining FSA IDs, and submitting their applications.
Collect and provide feedback to the U.S. Department of Education to help iron out any issues before the FAFSA’s official launch.
Organize in-person FAFSA completion sessions to assist students in submitting their applications early.
As part of the testing, community-based organizations are expected to recruit at least 100 students to submit their FAFSA forms within the first four days of the beta period launch, as well as hold in-person FAFSA completion sessions for students. This will help streamline the process and ensure that any technical or procedural challenges are addressed before the nationwide rollout.
“The beta testing allows us to make a real difference for students,” said Colleen Lockwood, director of Bridge 2 Life. “By providing guidance for families to complete the FAFSA, we help students enter the financial aid pipeline sooner, increasing their chances of receiving aid and enrolling in college immediately after graduation.”
Federal Student Aid plans to expand the testing in future rounds to include additional groups, such as school districts, state agencies, and higher education institutions, to ensure that the FAFSA is robust and accessible to all eligible applicants.
About Broward Education Foundation:
The nonprofit Broward Education Foundation aligns with Broward County Public Schools by providing grants for teachers who develop innovative curriculum that increases student outcomes; vitally needed school supplies for students and teachers in Title I schools; scholarships for qualified high school seniors; and support for programs and initiatives like Debate, Scholastic Chess, TurnAround Arts, STEM and more. Each year, Broward Education Foundation contributes more than $3 million to Broward County schools, serving as the catalyst for educational excellence.
For more information visit Broward EducationFoundation or BEFInfo@browardschools.com.
