What Is the CSS Profile?

The CSS Profile (short for College Scholarship Service Profile) is a financial aid application administered by the College Board. Unlike the FAFSA, which is used to determine federal aid eligibility, the CSS Profile is used by over 200 colleges and scholarship programs to determine eligibility for institutional aid—money that comes directly from the school.

How It Differs from the FAFSA

While the FAFSA uses a simplified formula and only looks at basic financial information, the CSS Profile digs deeper. It considers additional factors like:

• Home equity

• Small business value

• Medical expenses

• Private school tuition for siblings

• Non-custodial parent income (in divorce situations)

This more detailed approach can either help or hurt, depending on your financial profile and the policies of the college.

Who Needs to Complete It?

Not all colleges use the CSS Profile. It’s mostly required by private schools—and often those with larger endowments and more generous aid packages. Schools like NYU, Duke, Boston College, and Stanford all use the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA.

Why It Matters

The CSS Profile is your gateway to need-based grants and scholarships that you won’t find anywhere else. These are often the largest sources of free money offered by the institution—and you won’t qualify if you don’t fill out the form. Families who skip this step are often leaving thousands of dollars on the table.

Tips for Filling It Out

• Start early. The CSS Profile opens October 1 and can take longer to complete than the FAFSA.

• Gather documentation. You’ll need tax returns, W-2s, and information on assets and liabilities.

• Understand each college’s deadlines—they may be different from the FAFSA deadline.

Contact Us Today:
Not sure if you need to fill out the CSS Profile—or how to do it correctly?

📞 Call us at 770-662-8510
📅 Schedule a free consultation: Book with Mike
Or visit our Contact Page