The CSS Profile, short for College Scholarship Service Profile, is an online financial aid application used by certain colleges, universities, and scholarship programs in the United States. It is administered by the College Board, the same organization that administers the SAT.
While the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the most widely used form to determine eligibility for federal financial aid programs, the CSS Profile provides additional information that some institutions require to assess a student’s eligibility for institutional aid, such as grants, scholarships, and need-based aid.
Unlike the FAFSA, which is free to submit, there is a fee associated with completing the CSS Profile. However, fee waivers are available for students from low-income backgrounds. It’s important to note that not all colleges and universities require the CSS Profile, so it’s essential to check the financial aid requirements of each institution to which you’re applying.
What Is the Difference between a CSS Profile and FAFSA?
A CSS Profile is an online form that collects information about a student’s financial situation, including income, assets, and expenses, from both the student and their parents to distribute financial aid sourced outside the government. This information is used to estimate how much your family can contribute toward college costs, which helps schools decide the aid a student may be eligible to receive.
The College Board gathers this information and distributes it to your chosen professional schools, universities, colleges, and scholarship programs. Complete the CSS Profile as accurately as possible and gather all required financial documents, such as tax returns and financial statements, before starting the application.
When filling out a profile, the student can explain any circumstances that prevent them from paying the total amount. Applicants must be ready to provide in-depth information to assess their family’s income. The CSS Profile has its own deadline, which is typically earlier than the FAFSA deadline, so it’s crucial to check the specific deadlines set by each institution.
FAFSA and CSS differ because the first is mainly used for federal aid. On the other hand, CSS is used by private colleges and some state universities to award institutional need-based aid. Some schools require you to submit a CSS Profile in addition to your FAFSA.
Remember that the CSS Profile contains more specific questions, such as medical and additional education expenses. Unlike FAFSA, the profile comes with additional questions for students with divorced parents. Filling out a CSS Profile and a FAFSA might get you more financial aid if you can prove financial hardship. This is explained by the fact that the CSS Profile contains detailed information about both parents’ income.
What does the CSS Profile ask for?
The CSS Profile asks about your family’s income, assets, and expenses, and it uses documents such as your most recently completed federal tax returns, W-2 forms, and bank statements. It also gives you space to explain circumstances that numbers alone may not show. See the full list on the College Board help center.
Which Schools Require the CSS Profile?
More than 300 colleges, universities, and scholarship programs require the CSS Profile. It would be best to check in with the school of interest to see if they have this requirement.
Both private and public schools accept the CSS profile. Even if you have already filled out the FAFSA, some schools may require you to have your CSS ready too. You can create a CSS profile by visiting the official web page. You will find helpful resources and guides on the “Get Started” page.
Is the CSS Profile harder than the FAFSA?
The CSS Profile is more detailed, and it costs $25 for the first school and $16 for each additional one, while the FAFSA is free. The FAFSA is the form for federal aid. The CSS Profile helps some colleges and scholarship programs award their own non-federal aid. Many families complete both when their schools ask. Our FAFSA guide explains the other form.
When Is the CSS Profile Due?
The CSS Profile must be completed two weeks before the school’s priority filing deadline. Every school sets a different date, so be sure to check first. The CSS Profile is available starting October 1. Students should complete the application every year they need a financial aid award, but some sections will be automatically filled. If you plan to apply early, line up your CSS Profile with the deadlines we explain in early action vs early decision. Schools with rolling admissions review applications as they arrive, so confirm each school’s financial aid timeline early.
CSS Profile Deadline, Cost and Key Dates at a Glance
Use this quick reference, based on the College Board’s CSS Profile site, then confirm each date with your colleges. Add every date to your senior year checklist so nothing slips.
What to know | Details |
|---|---|
When it opens | October 1 each year. The College Board lists a separate application for each school year, so choose the one that matches when you will start college. |
Your deadline | Each college or scholarship program sets its own date. Start at least two weeks before the earliest priority date you need to meet. |
Cost | $25 for the first college or scholarship program and $16 for each additional one (College Board). |
Fee waiver | According to the College Board, the CSS Profile is free for families who make up to $100,000 a year. |
What to have ready | Your most recently completed federal tax returns and, in most cases, your parents’ returns, plus schedules, W-2 forms, records of untaxed income, assets, and bank statements. |
Divorced or separated parents | Some colleges ask for information from both the custodial and noncustodial parent, so check each school’s requirements. |
How Do I Get a CSS Profile?
To get a CSS Profile, follow these steps:
Create a College Board account
A College Board account will be used to create a CSS Profile. You likely have a College Board account if you already filed an SAT. Visit the College Board’s website and log in to your account or create a new account.
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Gather the necessary documentation
Completing the CSS Profile requires financial documentation. The College Board asks for your and, in most cases, your parents’ most recently completed federal tax returns, along with schedules, W-2 forms, and records of income.
Since submitting your CSS profile application requires extensive tax documentation, make sure you have covered all the steps and have the appropriate documentation ready. Prepare your most recently completed federal tax returns, W-2 forms, records of untaxed income, mortgage information, and bank statements. If you have these ready, the registration process is going to be straightforward.
Select colleges
Applicants can send the CSS profile only to the colleges of their choice. There is no limit to how many schools you can apply to. Students can select additional colleges even after submission but will be charged for each school they add. Remember that some colleges might have customized or supplemental questions adjusted to their needs.
Fill in the forms
Filling in the forms takes from 45 minutes to two hours. Students also have a chance to share more about their family’s financial situation, even details that aren’t obvious on their tax documents. For example, they can state things like caring for overseas relatives.
The forms require precise information about their family’s income. If their parents are divorced or separated, they must state their custodial parent or the one they’ve lived with the most. If the student has lived with both parents for the same amount of time, the custodial parent is the one who provided more financial support.
Noncustodial parents might be required to fill out a special profile, so check if this is the case with your chosen school. Double-check everything to ensure you entered the correct details because you can’t edit the application after submitting it. If you still need to change some information, print out the form and make the changes manually. You can then send the form by email directly to your school’s financial aid office.
Which schools should get my CSS Profile?
Send it to the colleges and scholarship programs that require it. Requirements differ by school, so check each financial aid page and the participating schools and scholarships section on the College Board site. Some colleges may also ask for information from both the custodial and noncustodial parent.
Pay the fee or get a fee waiver
Once your information is all set up, you pay $25 for the first college and $16 for each additional college. At the time of application, it is automatically determined if you qualify for a fee waiver. According to the College Board, the CSS Profile is free for families who make up to $100,000 a year. If you are early in the process, our guide on how to prepare for college shows what to do first. If you need help at any phase of the completion process, you can contact the College Board via email, phone, or live chat.
Follow up
Check the College Board dashboard to see if further action is necessary. Also, remember you can add more schools but will be charged for each one you add to your application. The dashboard will also provide information about your chosen school and the payment receipt. Furthermore, you can save or print the application straight from the dashboard
In conclusion, the CSS Profile is an additional financial aid application used by certain colleges and universities to assess a student’s eligibility for institutional aid. It provides a more comprehensive view of a student’s financial situation, allowing institutions to make more informed decisions about financial aid awards. Morzep coaches families through financial aid decisions as part of our college coaching for 12th grade students.
