CSS Profile

It was created by the College Board and is similar to the FAFSA in that filling it out may qualify you for certain types of financial aid for college. Unlike the FAFSA, however, which awards federal aid, the CSS Profile awards only nonfederal institutional aid. It is used by many institutions, professional schools, and scholarship programs to dispense their own funds (non-federal aid).  To review more of the differences click here. The CSS Profile may only be submitted online. 

NOTE: CSS Profile is also available in Spanish. Click here.

• Check your colleges’ information to determine whether they require the CSS Profile. A list of participating schools is available online.

• Some schools may also require divorced or separated parents to complete separate applications. 

• Most students complete the application in their senior year of high school starting on October 1. 

• Schools may have different deadlines - be sure to check with each school you are applying to. 

• • 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

• Sections and questions will be marked as to whether they are about the student or the parent. 

  • • One of the most common mistakes' parents who are helping their students make is to answer “Student Status” questions for themselves and not for their student.  

• If you created a College Board account for the SAT, PSAT or AP, use the same username and password to sign-in. If not, create a new account. To sign-in, use the buttons on our home page and select the appropriate year you are applying. Custodial parents will use the same account as their student. Only noncustodial parents will create a separate account.

• The application provides online help to guide you. You can save your application and return to it later.

• Once complete, submit your CSS Profile application. If necessary, you will pay your application fee when you are ready to submit.

  • • NOTE: The CSS Profile is free to domestic undergraduate students whose family income is up to $100,000 or if you qualify for a fee waiver. Ask your counselor if you are unsure if you qualify.

• Your dashboard includes your payment receipt and any next steps, such as uploading documents through the Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC). 

  • • You may add additional schools at any time by clicking on “Add a College or Program.”

• If you made a mistake on your application or need to include additional information after you submit, you can update your application by clicking “Correct Your CSS Profile” on your Dashboard. 

  • • Corrections are available by late November each year.