The CSS Profile is an online application created and maintained by the United States-based College Board that allows college students to apply for non-federal financial aid. It is used by colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal institutional aid. The CSS Profile is different from the FAFSA, the free U.S. Department of Education form that determines a students eligibility for federal financial aid. Some key points about the CSS Profile include:
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Purpose: The CSS Profile is used to collect information about a students financial situation to determine their eligibility for non-federal financial aid from colleges and scholarship programs.
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Who should complete it: Not all colleges and scholarship programs require the CSS Profile, so students should check with the ones they are interested in to see if it is required.
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When to complete it: Most students complete the application in their senior year of high school, but schools may have different deadlines, so its important to check with each school.
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Cost: The CSS Profile is free for families who make up to $100,000 a year. If a family does not qualify for a fee waiver, submitting the CSS Profile to one college or scholarship program costs $25.
Completing the CSS Profile can be cumbersome, but it is necessary for colleges and universities to gather the data they need to award their limited financial aid grants and scholarships in a way thats equitable. The CSS Profile offers opportunities for families to describe any unique or extenuating circumstances that affect their ability to pay, aiming to paint a fuller picture of a familys finances than the FAFSA.
