Financial Aid | CSS Profile

Applying with CSS Profile

The CSS/Financial Aid Profile is an online application for students to fill out in order to see if they qualify for institutional funds. Over 400 schools are in partnership with College Board in order to offer their students institutional aid.

01

See if the schools you want to apply to accept the CSS profile

Each school has its own unique deadline for the application, and not all schools participate in the CSS Profile. Click here to see a list of schools that accept the application.

02

Gather all necessary documents

The documents needed for the CSS Profile are similar to the FAFSA application and consist of tax and income information.

Documents:

  • Most recently completed tax returns.
  • W-2 forms and any other records of income from the current year.
  • Current bank statements.
  • Records of assets.

03

Register or sign in to College Board account

You may have already created an account beforehand when you registered for the SAT. If not, create an account with College Board to start and submit your application.

04

Apply and submit your application

Review all information before submitting to ensure all information is complete and accurate. After you sign-up on the site, you can add more colleges any time.

05

Check to see if you qualify for fee waivers

The cost to fill out the CSS Profile is $25 and $16 to add other schools, but some students will qualify for a fee waiver.

You might qualify if you:

  • If the student qualified for an SAT fee waiver
  • If the student is an orphan or ward of the court under the age of 24
  • Based on parental income and family size (e.g., family of 4 would qualify with income of $45,000 or less)

Go here for more details.

CSS Profile Tips

#1

Each application is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so it's best to apply as soon as you can. Applications are available each year on October 1st.

#2

Start your CSS Profile application at least two weeks before your first school or scholarship program application due date.

#3

Get an idea of your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) by using College Board's EFC Calculator.

#4

Remember to visit the dashboard periodically after you’ve completed the application to check on the status of your applications, add more colleges or see any additional documentation that’s requested of you.

#5

The CSS Profile is not an alternative or substitution for the FAFSA/TASFA, so make sure you complete both.

#6

Check with each college you plan to apply to since deadlines for each college can be different.