In the US, limited funds are available through federal programs such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) do not bear the full cost of going to college. Therefore, non-federal funds are important American studentsnon federal financial assistancewhich includes institutional Grant, scholarshipAnd loans from colleges and private organizations can bridge the gap between federal aid and the total cost of education. Additionally, non-federal aid often provides more flexibility and larger awards than federal aid, which is usually limited.
css profile (College Scholarship Service Profile) is a financial aid application used by many colleges, universities, and scholarship programs in the US to provide non-federal financial aid. Administered by College Board (the same organization behind the SAT), the CSS Profile collects detailed financial information about the student and their family to help institutions determine eligibility for institutional grants, loans, and scholarships.
Unlike the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the CSS Profile allows families to present a more detailed overview of their financial situation, highlighting special circumstances that may affect their ability to contribute to tuition and expenses. Can influence.
Institutions Accepting CSS Profile
Approximately 270 colleges, universities, and scholarship organizations mandate CSS Profile submission. Although most of these are private institutions, this group also includes some public schools. like many famous universities Cornell UniversityDuke University and Yale University accept the CSS Profile for financial aid students. Candidates can check the complete list of schools accepting CSS Profile Here,
FAFSA vs. CSS Profile: A Comparative Analysis
The FAFSA provides access to federal and state financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans, and is free to apply. The application requires personal information from both students and parents along with details of income and assets, including business income. Eligibility extends to U.S. citizens and certain non-U.S. citizens, such as asylum seekers, permanent residents, and refugees. The FAFSA can be submitted to any post-secondary institution that participates in federal financial aid programs, and applicants must renew their application annually.
In contrast, the CSS profile focuses on grants, scholarships, and loans provided by individual schools. This includes a fee of $25 for the first institution and $16 for each additional school. The application demands a broad scope of financial information, including bank statements, records of untaxed income and benefits, as well as medical expenses. The CSS Profile is available to both US citizens and international students, but is only accepted by participating institutions. Like the FAFSA, it also requires annual renewal.
How to fill CSS profile form?
Students applying to colleges who need a CSS Profile or families seeking financial aid and are interested in schools that use the form should follow these steps.
Create a College Board Account
Students who have taken the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), Preliminary SAT (PSAT), or Advanced Placement (AP) exam may already have a College Board account that can be used to complete the CSS Profile. Could. Sign in to the College Board website or create a profile.
Gather Required Documents
The CSS Profile requires the same year of tax documents as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is required for students interested in receiving federal financial aid. Students who have already completed the FAFSA can use the same document for the CSS Profile.
On both forms, families report their income for the two years prior to the year the student plans to attend college. For example, a family filling out the form for the 2025-2026 academic year will use the 2023 federal tax return.
However, families should expect to need additional documentation. According to the College Board, these include their wage and tax return (W-2) forms and other records of current year income, records of untaxed income and benefits, property and bank statements.
Select Colleges
Students can specify from which college they want to get their CSS profile. Even under fee waiver, there is no limit on how many schools a student can apply to.
complete the application
Students must complete the CSS Profile each year they seek institutional financial aid. Experts recommend using these sections to describe any financial situations that are not evident on their tax forms or in other questions, such as the cost of caring for a grandparent abroad or other financial difficulties.
submit application
Families must pay a fee or receive a waiver before CSS profiles are sent to colleges. The application provides ample opportunity for individuals to describe any unique financial situation they may face.
check back
There may be additional instructions after the CSS profile is submitted. Students should refer to the College Board dashboard for action items and to view payment receipts. After submitting, students can still add colleges they want to send their profile to, although they will be charged a fee for each additional school.
If a student notices an error after submission, one correction can be made per academic year through the “Correct your CSS Profile” section on their dashboard. Additionally, students must contact the recipient schools directly.
