What is the CSS Profile?
The CSS (College Scholarship Services) Profile is a financial aid application used by many private colleges and universities to determine your student’s eligibility for non-government financial aid, such as the college’s grants, loans, and scholarships. The colleges that require the CSS Profile include some of the most selective and expensive schools. Over 400 schools require the CSS Profile. For a list of colleges, visit College Board: https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx. (Or, Google “CSS Profile Participating Colleges.”
What you should know:
1. CSS Profile schools also use the FAFSA to provide aid from the government. As a reminder from my article dated September 21st, the updated version of the FAFSA is set to launch in December.
2. The CSS Profile can be submitted after October 1.
3. Check the school’s CSS Profile deadline today!
4. The CSS Profile asks for more detailed information than the FAFSA – including home value, non-custodial parent income, retirement savings, and medical expenses.
5. The CSS Profile uses income from two years prior to the year the student starts college.
6. The CSS Profile will still consider the number of students in a family attending college at the same time. The changes to the FAFSA eliminate this adjustment.
7. In the case of a divorce, financial information will be required from the custodial parent, including the stepparent or partner. Some colleges require both of your parents—your custodial parent and your noncustodial parent—to complete separate applications. This information can make a difference when it comes to need-based institutional aid. To learn whether the colleges on your child’s apply-to list require the noncustodial parent’s financial information, visit: https://profile.collegeboard.org/profile/ppi/participatingInstitutions.aspx (or Google “CSS Profile Participating Colleges.”
8. Parents, it is recommended to use your student’s College Board account to complete the CSS Profile application. If you are a noncustodial parent, can create your own College Board account to complete the CSS Profile.
To learn more about the CSS Profile, visit www.cssprofile.collegeboard.org.
If you’re struggling with filling out your child’s FAFSA or CSS Profile, I’m here to help. I offer one-on-one coaching to parents, going through the required information step-by-step so that you can confidently complete the applications in the future while your child is in college. Please feel free to contact me if you need any support.