If you are thinking about the costs of college, the FAFSA is probably already on your radar. But did you know there’s another financial aid form called the CSS Profile that about 400 colleges require? 
Read on for what you should know about this financial aid application, who should complete it, and how it could help you qualify for more college funding – 
What is the CSS Profile? 
The CSS Profile, which stands for the “College Scholarship Service” is a separate, additional financial aid application administered by the College Board. Yes, that’s right, the same College Board that administers SAT and AP testing. This form requests more information across several years of a family’s income and expenses to get a more complete picture of a family’s financial situation in determining the distribution of aid. It is used by colleges to calculate eligibility for both need and merit based scholarships, separate from the federal aid a student may receive through completing the FAFSA.
Who has to fill it out?
Any student who is interested in being considered for funding by one of the colleges that use the CSS Profile, will need to complete this form. It does not replace the FAFSA, but is separate from it and completed in addition. There are approximately 400 colleges that utilize the CSS Profile, including nearly all of the most selective colleges, so chances are, you may find that your college list includes a CSS school. You can check the list of CSS Profile participating institutions here to determine if this is something you will need to plan for in your process. 
Why? 
Colleges each use their own ‘institutional calculation’ of a student’s eligibility for grant and loan offerings. Many colleges want more information than what is provided in the FAFSA form, and so they use the information in the CSS Profile to gain more in-depth understanding. This can be to an applicant’s benefit, as the CSS takes into account expenses and life circumstances that are not considered in the FAFSA. In addition, the colleges that utilize the CSS Profile tend to be the most generous in their need based aid. Nearly all colleges that commit to meeting 100% of a student’s demonstrated need utilize this form. 
What should I know about completing the CSS Profile? 
In short, students and their parents should be prepared that the CSS Profile is time consuming. It takes about 3x as long to complete as the FAFSA form, and will require you to gather additional documentation to be able to complete it. You do not want to leave the CSS Profile to the night before a deadline. Instead, be sure to give yourselves ample time to get organized, and work through the form step by step over several days. The CSS Profile Guide to Getting Started can help you prepare. The CSS Profile opens for the season on October 1st, so having a parent ready to start working on it at that time is a good plan. 
Review your colleges’ financial aid websites & ask your questions! 
If you are unsure how the CSS Profile will impact your process in determining the costs of college and being eligible for scholarships and aid, your college’s website is the place to access this information. Visit the financial aid websites of every college you are applying to. Carefully review their financial aid application process, any requirements to be eligible for need-based or merit scholarship consideration, including whether the CSS Profile is required for merit scholarships. This research can be a good place for parents to provide support while students are working away at essays and applications. If you still have questions, reach out to the financial aid office and ask. It is their job to support you in navigating the process!
TBU Advisors are experienced in supporting students to navigate their college choices and personal best fit, and TBU Essay & Application specialists are experts at supporting students to craft their most compelling, authentic work. If you’d like to explore working with a TBU Advisor, now is the time. Get in touch here and we will look forward to connecting with you. 
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