You can read Everything You Need to Know to Fill Out the 2023-24 CSS Profile on my College Prep Mom blog.
In addition to filing the FAFSA, some schools and scholarships also require the College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile). If that is the case, the school will share its CSS Profile code with you. To help, I’m sharing some information on how to complete the CSS Profile.
It is an online application (used by almost 400 colleges, universities, professional schools, and scholarship programs) that is used to determine eligibility for financial aid. The CSS Profile was created and is maintained by the College Board and is used to award college financial aid, grants and scholarships from sources outside of the federal government.
You can check participating schools and scholarships as well as learn how to apply on the College Board’s CSS Profile page. Before starting the application, note that you will need your most recently completed tax returns, W-2 forms and other records of your current year’s income as well as records of untaxed income and benefits, assets and bank statements.
Thankfully, you don’t have to complete the application in one sitting. You can save it and return back to it later if you need to do so.
While the FAFSA is free to file, submitting your CSS Profile to one college or scholarship program costs $25 while additional reports are $16 each. This year, it is free for families who make up to $100,000/year though.
Stetson University has a video regarding how to fill out the Profile on their financial aid site. I found it to be helpful.
I’m not sure if any of the schools that Michael wants to attend require the application. I’m going to fill out anyway though – “just in case”.
