As the holiday season approaches, so does the anticipation for students and families who are thinking about college – where to go and what they can afford.  But this year feels a bit different.  Financial aid directors at colleges and universities aren’t just decking the halls and spreading cheer; we are also refreshing our browsers in anticipation of the eagerly awaited launch of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and thinking about how much we wish those ISIRs could come sooner.

And because if we couldn’t find ways to laugh we’d probably cry, here are a few Christmas carols with a twist on the usual words to get you through the FAFSA delay.

"All I Want for Christmas Is FAFSA"

I don't want a lot for Christmas
There's just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree

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I just want the FAFSA to be ready
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true
All I want for Christmas is FAFSA, ooh

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I won't ask for much this Christmas
I won't even wish for snow
I'm just gonna keep on waiting
For that FAFSA status to glow

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I just want the FAFSA to be ready
More than you could ever know
Make my wish come true

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All I want for Christmas is FAFSA, ooh, baby 🎶

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I’m Dreaming of the FAFSA Being Ready

I'm dreaming of the FAFSA being ready

Just like the way it used to be

Where students do it and we can use it

Please put it under the tree

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I'm dreaming of the FAFSA being ready

With every delay, it's causing worry and fright

May the forms be swift and clear

And may all the ISIRs appear

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I'm dreaming of no more delays

With every time I refresh the page

May E.D. hurry, so I don’t worry

And I can sleep without rage

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I'm dreaming of the FAFSA being ready

With every delay, it's causing worry and fright

May the forms be swift and clear

And may all the ISIRs appear

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May the FAFSA be ready without delay

Bringing joy and peace along the way

I'm dreaming of the FAFSA being ready

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"FAFSA is Coming to Town" 

You better file right, you better not wait
Get your docs together, I'm telling you straight
FAFSA is coming to town
We checked the site once, we checked the site twice
When it comes that’s going to be nice
FAFSA is coming to town

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We see that ED is stalling
We know that it’s delayed
We know that it’s not ready
To be honest we’re dismayed

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Oh, we really can't wait
They want to apply
We're holding our breath
I'm telling you why

FAFSA is coming to town!

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As we celebrate the joys of the season, we are all fervently hoping for the release of a working FAFSA, bringing not just holiday cheer, but also the gift of accessible education for all who seek it.

Here's to a season filled with hope, joy, and the timely arrival of the FAFSA!

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Authors Note: We apologize to carolers everywhere and thank / blame ChatGPT for the lyrics assist.