While the FAFSA is required by all U.S. colleges for federal and state aid, some schools also require the CSS Profile—a more detailed financial aid form used to determine how much institutional aid (grants and scholarships from the college itself) you may be eligible for.
It’s run by the College Board and is used by nearly 300 colleges and scholarship programs, many of them private or highly selective.
📘 What Is the CSS Profile?
The CSS Profile (College Scholarship Service Profile) is an online application that collects more detailed financial information than the FAFSA. It allows colleges to consider a broader picture of your family’s financial situation when determining aid from their own institutional funds.
While the FAFSA is free to submit, the CSS Profile costs money to submit to each college, though fee waivers are available for eligible students.
🔍 Key Differences: CSS Profile vs. FAFSA
Feature | FAFSA | CSS Profile |
Used for | Federal, state, and some college aid | Institutional aid (college grants/scholarships) |
Managed by | U.S. Department of Education | College Board |
Cost | Free | ~$25 for the first school, $16 for each additional school (waivers available) |
Custodial Info | Uses custodial parent only | Often requires both biological parents’ income, including the non-custodial parent |
Income Details | Summary level | More detailed (home equity, retirement accounts, etc.) |
Asset Reporting | Excludes home equity | Often includes home equity and other investments |
Required By | All U.S. colleges | Selective/private colleges & scholarship orgs |
🏫 Who Requires the CSS Profile?
Mostly:
Private colleges and universities
Selective public universities
Some scholarship organizations
🧠 Not all colleges use it—and you only need to complete it if a college on your list requires it.
📍 View the official list of colleges and programs that use the CSS Profile here:
🧭 How to Complete the CSS Profile
Go to cssprofile.org
Log in with your College Board account (same one used for SAT/AP)
Select the academic year you’re applying for
Add the colleges you’re applying to from the participating list
Complete the financial and household sections (student + parents)
Pay the fee (or receive a waiver if eligible)
Submit and save your confirmation page
✏️ GradMap Pro Tips
Check each college’s financial aid page to confirm if the CSS Profile is required, and when it’s due (deadlines can differ from the FAFSA!).
Don’t wait—submit early. Some schools have early deadlines for priority aid or merit-based scholarships.
Gather detailed financial documents—you’ll need more in-depth info than for the FAFSA (including home equity, retirement savings, and sometimes non-custodial parent data).
Ask your GradMap counselor for help if your family has a complex financial situation or questions about how to report certain assets.
The CSS Profile opens the door to institutional financial aid that could significantly reduce your out-of-pocket college costs, especially at private or high-cost schools. It takes more time and detail than the FAFSA, but the potential aid can be well worth the effort.
Let’s get that aid application done right—and on time! 💰