College Application Changes for 2026 to 2027 Applicants

Students applying to college for the 2026-2027 school year need to know about a few important changes showing up in the application process.

A few things from the 2025-2026 application year may affect students applying in 2026-2027.

One of the biggest conversations is around supplemental essays. Some colleges are looking at whether they should remove or reduce supplemental essays because of AI. The issue is not only whether a student uses AI. The bigger challenge is how colleges can tell when the writing is truly the student’s own work.

Another thing families may start seeing more is Glimpse videos. These are short videos, usually around 60 to 90 seconds, where students can introduce themselves to the admissions office. It gives students another way to share who they are beyond grades, test scores, and written essays.

There is also more conversation around how colleges review students when SAT or ACT scores are not available. Some colleges may look more closely at high school work, teacher feedback, classroom performance, and other materials that show whether a student is ready for a certain major.

Families also need to keep paying attention to financial aid changes. Parent PLUS loan limits may affect how much parents can borrow to help pay for college. Right now, one of the numbers families need to understand is the $20,000 annual Parent PLUS loan limit, with a $65,000 total cap per student. This means families need to look at the cost of attendance, scholarships, student loans, and what gap may still be left after federal loans.

The biggest takeaway is that the application process keeps changing. Essays, videos, testing, financial aid, and student work may all matter in different ways depending on the college.

If your family is applying for the 2026-2027 school year and wants help understanding what these changes mean, reach out.

Let College Help Squad be a part of your process.