How is CSS profile different from fafsa?
The major difference is that the FAFSA® provides federal grants, loans, and other types of government assistance, and the CSS Profile is an application that universities use to gauge how much non-federal financial aid you need.
What is CSS Profile for financial aid?
The CSS Profile, short for the College Scholarship Service 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.
What is needed for CSS profile?
Getting Started with your CSS Profile Application
- Highlights – Tour our CSS Profile Overview.
- Documents at the ready – You will need your most recently completed tax returns, W-2 forms and other records of current year income, records of untaxed income and benefits, assets and bank statements.
How do I create a CSS profile?
Start your CSS Profile by visiting cssprofile.org at least two weeks before the earliest college or scholarship priority application date you need to meet. This date is the college or program’s deadline for submitting a completed CSS Profile application.
How much does the CSS cost?
The fee for the initial CSS Profile and one college or program report is $25. Additional reports are $16. CSS Profile fee waivers cover all application and reporting fees.
How long does the CSS Profile take?
roughly 45 minutes to two hours
How do I choose colleges for CSS profile?
You may add a college at any time. Sign in to the CSS Profile and click Add a College or Program on your Dashboard. You will be charged $16 for each college you add.
Is it worth filling out CSS profile?
Filling out the CSS PROFILE does not take the place of the FAFSA. Rather, it is an additional application for nonfederal financial aid. Hoge says it can be especially useful for students from low-income families. For some students, this could mean more financial aid opportunities are available through the CSS.
Why do some schools require CSS profile?
The CSS Profile is used to determine a student’s eligibility for institutional aid and is used by approximately 400 schools. While these schools also use the FAFSA to provide aid from the government, the CSS Profile is used by these specific colleges to give out grants, scholarships, and loans directly.
Do public schools use CSS?
Not all students applying to colleges will need to complete the CSS Profile. For the most part, only private schools accept the application and some, like Princeton, choose to use their own system instead. Most public schools will not accept the application, but it’s important to check.
Does Harvard require CSS profile?
All applicants must file the online 2021-2022 CSS Profile via the College Board. Make sure to include Harvard as a recipient using the code 3434. If they are separated or divorced, each parent will need to complete their own CSS Profile.
How do I fix my CSS profile?
To make corrections to your CSS Profile, print a copy of the CSS Profile you submitted, hand-write the changes directly on the form, and upload the corrections to FAST. Once logged in, follow the link to the Document Library and select CSS Profile Corrections/Changes to upload the corrections.
What assets are reported on CSS profile?
Retirement Plans and the CSS Profile Unlike on the FAFSA application, the value of retirement plans are included on the CSS Profile. According to the Profile, student and parent retirement plans (IRA, Keogh, 401k, 403b, etc.) are reported as assets for the respective owners.
Is CSS merit based?
About 250 mostly private colleges require a supplemental form called the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE. To apply for merit-based financial aid from the college, most colleges will automatically consider students for such scholarships based on the application for admissions.