CSS Profile Explained: How to Get Financial Aid By Filling Out the CSS

Applying for financial aid? The CSS profile is an important part of the process. Learn how it works, what CSS payment is required, and more.

Free money for college — does it really exist? For some students, yes, but only if they fill out the right forms. 

Besides the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), another commonly required application is the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile. Many colleges and universities use it to calculate your financial need and determine what aid you’ll get. By filling out the CSS Profile, you can access grants, scholarships, and even institutional student loans, reducing how much you have to pay upfront for your education. 


What is CSS Profile? 

According to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics, 86% of first-time undergraduate students received some form of financial aid, such as grants or student loans. 

To qualify for financial aid, you have to complete certain applications. While the FAFSA is more well-known, over 400 colleges and universities use the CSS Profile to determine financial aid eligibility. 

Private colleges most commonly use the CSS profile to decide institutional awards, such as college scholarships or university-issued loans. 

CSS Profile vs. FAFSA

There are a few key differences between the FAFSA and CSS Profile to keep in mind: 



FAFSA

CSS Profile

Fee

Free for all applicants

It’s $25 to send your profile to a single college or scholarship program and $16 for each additional school or program. 

Type of Aid

Federal grants, work-study programs, student loans

State and institutional grants, scholarships, and student loans 

Eligibility

U.S. citizens and permanent non-residents

U.S. citizens and international students

Required Information

Family’s assets, income, and housing expenses

Family’s assets, income, housing expenses, business income, and medical expenses


In general, the CSS Profile requires more information than the FAFSA. However, it also takes extenuating circumstances into consideration, such as medical bills, when evaluating your financial need. 

How to Complete the CSS Profile in 5 Steps

The CSS Profile isn’t difficult to complete. Just follow these five steps: 

1. Check With Your Selected Colleges

Most students complete the CSS Profile during their senior year of high school, but your selected college may have different requirements. Check with your college’s admissions and financial aid departments to find out if you have to fill out the CSS Profile and what their deadline is. 

The CSS Profile for the 2022-2023 academic year is available as of October 1, 2021. 

2. Collect the Necessary Information 

The CSS Profile will ask you to provide the following information: 

  • Your Social Security number
  • Household income
  • Recent tax returns
  • W-2 forms or other proofs of income
  • Records of untaxed income
  • Assets
  • Bank statementsBusiness income, if applicable
  • Medical expenses


3. Create a College Board account 

If you created a College Board account when you took the PSAT, SAT or AP exams, you can sign into collegeboard.com with the same username and password you used then. If you didn’t create an account before, you can create a new one at cssprofile.collegeboard.org

4. Fill Out the Application

Follow the prompts to complete the application. You don’t have to fill it out in one sitting; you can save and come back later if you need to find additional information. 

5. Submit the Form and Pay the Fee

When you submit the CSS Profile, you’ll also have to pay a fee. It’s $25 to send your profile to a single college or scholarship program and $16 for each additional school or program. However, you may qualify for a fee waiver if your family’s income is under $100,000. 

CSS Profile Questions and Answers

What Schools Use the CSS Profile? 

Over 400 colleges and universities use the CSS Profile to determine students’ financial aid. The list of schools using the CSS Profile include Ivy League universities and other prestigious colleges, including: 

  • Boston University
  • Carnegie Mellon University
  • Cornell University
  • Dartmouth College
  • Duke University
  • Georgetown University
  • Harvard
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Stanford University
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • Yale University

You can see the current list of schools that use the CSS Profile for the 2022-2023 academic year on The College Board’s website

Do I Still Need to Fill Out the FAFSA? 

The CSS Profile doesn’t replace the FAFSA; instead, it just supplements it. You should fill out both to ensure you get access to all of the financial aid you’re entitled to as an incoming college student. 

What Financial Aid Options Do I Have? 

As a first-year college student, you may be eligible for a wide range of financial aid options, including: 

  • Grants: Awarded based on financial need, grants don’t have to be repaid. 
  • Scholarships: Like grants, scholarships don’t have to be repaid. However, they’re usually based on merit rather than financial need. 
  • Work-Study: Work-study programs allow you to get a job within your field and use your earnings to offset your education costs. 
  • Federal Student Loans: Issued by the federal government, federal student loans tend to have low interest rates and multiple repayment options. 
  • Private Student Loans: Private student loans are issued by banks, credit unions, and private lenders. They often cover up to the total cost of attendance and can cover your remaining expenses after using other forms of financial aid. 


Planning for College

If you’re nearing the end of your high school career and have no idea how to pay for college, don't worry! There are a variety of options that can help cover the cost. The CSS Profile is required by some colleges to evaluate your need for financial aid. Make sure you complete it by its deadline so they know what kind of scholarships, grants, or student loans to give you. Still not enough? Research your private student loan options through Juno to get the best rates and terms. 


Kat Tretina
Written By
Kat Tretina

Kat Tretina is a freelance writer based in Orlando, FL. She specializes in helping people finance their education and manage debt. Her work has been featured in Forbes, The Huffington Post, MarketWatch, and many other publications.

Related Articles

View All Articles
20 Most Valuable Majors in 2021

Trying to figure out the return for your money for various college majors? Here are the 20 most valuable degrees in 2021 as well as some key takeaways.

Read more
USAA Student Loans Are No Longer Offered: Here Are the Best Alternatives

If you’re looking for USAA student loans, they’re no longer an option. Read on to learn about the best alternatives to USAA student loans.

Read more
Best MBA Internships Ranked

An MBA internship can help you gain experience and stand out from your peers. Read on to learn about the best MBA internships and how to land one.

Read more
Education Loan Finance Review: Student Loan Refinancing and Private Student Loans

Read this Education Loan Finance review to learn about the company’s options for student loan refinancing and private student loans.

Read more
Splash Financial Review: Student Loan Refinancing

Splash Financial is a student loan refinancing marketplace featuring multiple lenders. Learn more about if Splash student loan refinancing is right for you.

Read more
Student Loan Refinance Rates Comparison All Lenders

We have assembled a list of rates across all of the student loan refinance companies as of December 21, 2021.

Read more
All Categories: