FAFSA preliminary filing period opens for 2026–27; Thiel College urges families to file early

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- The U.S. Department of Education has opened a preliminary filing period for the 2026–27 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, giving students and families an early opportunity to complete and submit applications before the official launch by Oct. 1, 2025.

• Start the FAFSA form.

During this period, often described by the Department of Education as “beta testing,” any student or contributor may log in to StudentAid.gov and file the 2026–27 FAFSA form. Applications submitted now will be processed normally and will not need to be resubmitted once the FAFSA officially launches.

The FAFSA form is required for all federal student aid, including grants, loans, and work-study programs. Students should enter Thiel College’s federal school code 003376 to ensure the College receives their FAFSA information, and they are encouraged to include the codes of any other institutions they are considering.

“The single most important thing a family can do to access financial aid is file the FAFSA — and list Thiel’s code, 003376,” said Thiel College Vice President for Enrollment Ashley Zullo. “We encourage students to include our code and the codes of any other schools they are considering. Filing early gives families the best chance to maximize available aid.”

Thiel’s Office of Financial Aid and Admission Counselors are available to guide families through the process — from creating StudentAid.gov accounts and determining dependency status to gathering necessary documents.

The preliminary filing period continues until the FAFSA officially opens on Oct. 1. To begin, students and families can log in to StudentAid.gov and select the 2026–27 FAFSA form.

Related Links

• Academic Affairs
• Financial Aid
• Scholarships
• Admissions

Related Stories

• Thiel College fall admissions schedule includes exciting new tour and traditional visits
• Thiel College awards $25,000 Leadership Scholarships to five incoming students
• Plauger is one of two Edgewood H.S. students surprised with full tuition scholarship to Thiel
• Nerad is one of two Edgewood H.S. students surprised with full tuition scholarship to Thiel 
• DuBois Area High School student surprised with full tuition scholarship to Thiel College
• Thiel College surprises Maryland high school student with full tuition scholarship
• Commodore Perry High School student awarded full tuition scholarship to Thiel College
• Coventry H.S. student awarded full-tuition scholarship to Thiel at surprise school event
• Serra Catholic student presented full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College at surprise school event
• Holy Name High School senior surprised with announcement of full ride to Thiel College
• Apollo-Ridge H.S. student awarded full-tuition to Thiel College during surprise event
• Greater Johnstown High School senior wins full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College
• Lincoln Park Performing Arts School senior awarded full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College
• Berkshire High School senior wins full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College
• Norwin High School senior awarded full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College
• Derry Area High School senior awarded full-tuition scholarship to Thiel College

Office of Admission

• Request information about Thiel College
• Schedule a visit
• Apply