The CSS Profile is an application used to apply for financial aid from colleges and universities. It’s managed by the College Board, and it helps schools determine your eligibility for institutional (school-based) aid. It collects detailed information about your family’s financial situation and is often used in conjunction with the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which is used to determine federal aid eligibility.
Here are some key things to know about the CSS Profile:
- Schools: Unlike the FAFSA, which is used for federal financial aid, the CSS Profile is used by many private colleges and universities to award their own financial aid.
- Cost: There is a fee to submit the CSS Profile, though fee waivers are available for eligible students.
- Information Required: The CSS Profile collects detailed information about your family’s income, assets, and expenses, and may ask for information about the financial situation of both parents.
- Deadlines: Each school has its own deadline for receiving the CSS Profile, so you need to check the deadlines for each college you’re applying to.
- Submission: It’s submitted online through the College Board website.
