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Key takeaways
- While the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA determines eligibility for federal financial aid, the CSS Profile is used by certain colleges to award non-federal, institutional aid.
- Submitting the CSS isn’t free like the FAFSA, but certain students may qualify for a fee waiver.
- If a school you are accepted to accepts the CSS Profile, fill it out to tap out all possible financial aid sources.
If you need financial aid, such as federal student loans and work-study, to pay for college, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Afterward, check with your school to see if it requires you to submit the CSS Profile to unlock additional non-federal grants and scholarships.
Bankrate’s take:
In many cases, it is a good idea to apply for both the FAFSA and the CSS profile to get an idea of how much federal and private aid you are eligible for.
CSS Profile vs. FAFSA
Both the College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile and the FAFSA can help you pay for school, but there are some distinct differences in the application process and eligibility requirements.
| Key points | FAFSA | CSS Profile |
| Aid provided | Federal and state aid, including grants, scholarships and loans | Grants, scholarships and loans provided by school |
| Fee | Free; send to up to 20 schools | $25 for one school, $16 per additional school |
| Required information | Personal information from student and parents; income and asset details; business income | Income and asset details; business income; bank statements; records of untaxed income and benefits; medical expenses |
| Eligibility | U.S. citizens, some non-U.S. citizens (asylum seekers, permanent residents and refugees) | U.S. citizens and international students |
| Participating schools | Any postsecondary institution that offers federal financial aid | Participating institutions only |
| Application renewal | Annually | Annually |
What is the CSS Profile?
The CSS Profile is administered by the College Board. While most colleges and universities accept the FAFSA, around 280 programs accept the CSS Profile. You may complete both forms, but you should first check if your potential school accepts the CSS Profile since you need to pay a fee: $25 for the first school and $16 for each additional school.
You might qualify for a fee waiver if you satisfy one of the following requirements:
- You received an SAT fee waiver.
- Your family’s adjusted gross income is under $100,000.
- You’re under 24 years of age and a ward of the court or an orphan.
Each school can tailor its form to add specific questions that determine how much aid to give out. How much you receive in aid depends on your eligibility and where you go to school. Unlike the FAFSA, international students may be eligible.
While students need to complete only one FAFSA every year regardless of living situation, students with divorced or separated parents might have to ask each parent to fill out their own CSS Profile.
Money tip:
The CSS Profile takes into consideration many different types of income, assets and financial obligations. For instance, it would consider medical debt you have from a hospital stay.
What is the FAFSA?
The FAFSA is a form you fill out to see if you qualify for different types of federal aid, such as work-study and student loans. In some cases, state and local aid require FAFSA completion as well. Some aid is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with over $120 billion of federal aid available every year.
How much federal aid you receive depends on your Student Aid Index (SAI) and when you apply. You can use the federal aid estimator to get an idea of how much aid you’ll potentially receive.
You must renew your FAFSA every year to continue getting federal aid – in some cases, even state and local assistance. Every postsecondary institution that offers and accepts federal aid is a FAFSA participant.
FAFSA requirements
- U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen (like a permanent resident)
- Social Security number or Alien Registration Number
- High school diploma, GED or equivalent
- Plan to enroll or are enrolled in an eligible degree or certificate program at a qualifying institution
Should I apply to the FAFSA or CSS Profile?
It’s always an excellent idea to apply for as much financial aid as you can. Your first step should be to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. Your SAI and how early you complete your application will determine how much you can get.
If you can afford to pay the fee or you qualify for fee waivers, the CSS Profile is the next best step, but remember that not every school requires the CSS Profile, so you’ll want to investigate any institution you’re interested in before filling out an application.
Bottom line
All colleges and universities use the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federal student aid, but some also use the CSS Profile to award non-federal aid. Submit the forms as far ahead of the deadline as you can to ensure you get access to the financial support you need during the next step of your educational journey.
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