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Every year, the CSS Profile provides over 10 billion US Dollars in financial aid to thousands of students, including undergraduates, graduates, and professionals. While primarily used by domestic students in the USA, some universities also require international students to submit their financial information through the CSS Profile. Administered by the College Board, the same organization responsible for the SAT exam, the CSS Profile application opens on October 1, 2023. This article will guide you on completing the CSS Profile application, including how to apply and a list of schools and scholarships that accept it.

What Is The CSS Profile?

The College Board’s CSS Profile is an online application for undergraduates seeking financial aid from nearly 400 colleges, universities, professional schools, and scholarship programs. Unlike Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is for federal aid and domestic applicants, CSS Profile focuses on non-federal financial aid. This detailed application collects financial information from both students and their parents, providing a comprehensive view of the student’s financial background. It becomes available each year on October 1st.

Benefits Of CSS Profile

1. One-time submission: CSS Profile is a one-time financial submission for students and parents; no individual university or college can request more details.
2. Holistic financial picture: CSS helps families of students give a holistic picture of their income background, helping universities understand the applicant’s funding needs.
3. Application fee and fee waiver: Although there is a USD 25 application fee, around 40% of students qualify for a fee waiver.
4. Confidentiality: CSS is shared only with institutions where the applicant has applied, ensuring the information’s confidentiality.
5. Flexible submission: There’s no need to submit the application in one sitting; the applicant can save and submit when fully ready.

Why Should You Apply For Financial Aid With The CSS Profile?

The CSS Profile from the College Board is a valuable resource for international students, offering financial aid options beyond what FAFSA provides for domestic applicants. While other scholarships exist, the CSS Profile takes a comprehensive look at various financial factors, including parental income and the student’s family situation. It’s a useful tool to explore for additional support in covering college expenses.

Who Must Complete The CSS Profile?

Candidates must verify with their respective colleges if they need the CSS Profile. The CSS Profile homepage contains the list of participating colleges.

Application Fee For CSS Profile

Unlike the free FAFSA, there’s a $25 fee to submit the CSS Profile to one college or scholarship program. Additional reports cost $16 each. For example, applying to five schools requiring the CSS Profile would cost $89.

When Is The Deadline For The CSS Profile?

The deadlines for the CSS Profile may vary as there is a separate profile for each institution. It is recommended to check with the specific college to ensure timely submission. The CSS Profile opens on Oct. 1 each year, coinciding with the opening of the FAFSA, allowing families to start the application process.

CSS Profile Document Requirements

For the CSS Profile, you need the following set of documents:

1. Tax Returns: Your and your parents’ most recently completed tax returns.
2. Income Records: W2s and other records of income for the current year.
3. Untaxed Income and Benefits: Records of untaxed income and benefits for the current and most recent tax years.
4. Bank Statements: Current bank statements.
5. Assets Records: Records of savings, bonds, trusts, and other assets.

How To Apply For CSS Profile Form?

1. Sign In or Create Account:
   • Log in using your College Board username and password.
   • If you’ve used the same credentials for PSAT, AP scores, or SAT exams, use them.
2. Fill in Details:
   • Provide your information, and the system will generate your profile based on family situations.
   • You can save progress and return later to complete the application.
3. Submit Application:
   • Once all details are entered, submit the application.
   • The information will be sent to the selected colleges.
4. Review and Next Steps: After submission, review the dashboard for payment receipts and further steps, like document submission to IDOC (Institutional Documentation Services).

Completing CSS Profile

Tips For Completing CSS Profile

Guidance on Questions:

• If unsure about a question, click into the answer field for helpful tips.
• Reach out to the College Board Customer Support Center for assistance.

Consistency with FAFSA: Ensure information consistency between CSS Profile and FAFSA.

Include Pre-tax Retirement Contributions: Count pre-tax retirement contributions as income in the CSS Profile.

Save a Copy: Save a copy of your completed CSS Profile for future reference.

Financial Aid Appeal: Consider appealing your financial aid award for potential additional aid. Contact your school’s financial aid office.

Step-By-Step Procedure

1. Preparing to Apply: Collect necessary documents like finalized tax returns, W-2 forms, untaxed income and benefits records, assets, bank statements, and current-year income records.
2. Sign in: Use existing College Board account credentials for PSAT, SAT, or AP. Create a new account if not already registered.
3. Choose Colleges: Select the colleges that will receive and accept the CSS Profile.
4. Fill in the Application: Fill out the application at your convenience. Save and resume later if needed.
5. Submit the Application: Submit the CSS Profile application by midnight Eastern Time. Pay the application fee if required.
6. Review Dashboard: Check the dashboard for payment receipts and upload documents through IDOC (Institutional Documentation Service). Add additional schools anytime by clicking “Add a College or Program.”
7. Update, if Mistake: Correct the application by clicking “Correct Your CSS Profile” on the dashboard. Corrections are available each year by late November.

How Do You Submit Your CSS Application?

1. Review your responses: Choose the application review option to check for any incomplete sections and complete them during the final review process.
2. Save a copy: Save a copy of your application for future reference, as it might be useful.
3. Pay initial application fee: Pay the initial application fee of $25. You can send your profile to one college with this fee and will need to pay an additional $16 for each additional report.

Universities Accepting CSS Profiles For International Students

Many colleges in the USA accept the CSS Profile to provide need-based financial aid to students. This application is commonly used by candidates seeking scholarships to attend top universities and colleges in the United States. The specific list of universities and colleges that require or accept the CSS Profile for international students can be obtained from the CSS Profile website or by checking with the respective institutions.

USA Universities:

1. Stanford University
2. Northwestern University
3. New York University
4. University of Pennsylvania
5. Cornell University
6. Whitman College
7. Yale College
8. Harvard College
9. Mount Holyoke College

For detailed information , you may fill the form click here.

Can Changes Be Made In CSS Profile?

In the CSS application, families can bring attention to specific circumstances that colleges should consider in their application review. If financial circumstances change or errors are discovered after submission, it’s important to inform universities promptly for the best chance of receiving aid. Timely communication is crucial due to limited funds available.

Processing Time Of CSS Profile

Completing the CSS Profile typically takes 45 minutes to 2 hours. The duration depends on your computer skills, preparedness with required documents, and the number of schools listed on your application. If sending it to multiple schools, the process may take longer due to additional questions schools can include.

CSS Profile Fee Waiver

The CSS Profile submission process may vary for different students because of the CSS Profile Fee Waiver. This waiver covers both the application and reporting fees, enabling you to submit your CSS Profile at no cost.

Who Is Eligible For A CSS Profile Fee Waiver?

Students who wish to receive a CSS Profile fee waiver must be undergraduates residing in the United States. Unfortunately, students living abroad are not eligible for the CSS Profile fee waiver. Domestic students can qualify for the fee waiver if certain conditions are met.

1. Their family’s adjusted gross income is below $100,000.
2. The student qualified for an SAT fee waiver.
3. The student is an orphan or ward of the court under 24 years old.

How To Get A CSS Profile Fee Waiver?

Students discover their eligibility for the CSS Profile fee waiver during the application process. Notification of qualification occurs when reaching the online payment stage, determined automatically by responses in the profile application. If ineligible for the CSS Profile fee waiver and costs pose a financial burden, some schools may offer their own fee waiver programs, such as Yale University’s school-specific fee waiver.

Types Of CSS profile Fee Waivers

Automatic CSS Profile Fee Waiver (College Board)

The first CSS Profile Fee Waiver, provided by the College Board, covers both the application and reporting fees for all chosen colleges if you meet specific eligibility criteria.

The eligibility criteria are

1. If your family’s income is less than $100,000.
2. If you qualified for an SAT Fee waiver.
3. If you’re an orphan or ward of the court under 24 years old.

Eligibility Criterion	Description
1. Family Income	If your family makes less than $100,000 a year, you automatically qualify for the CSS Profile Fee Waiver. As you fill out the CSS Profile, your eligibility will be determined based on your income and asset responses. It’s an automatic process, and you’ll know if you qualify on the payments page.
2. SAT Fee Waiver	If you qualify for an SAT Fee waiver, you can submit your CSS Profile for free. Simply use the same College Board account you used for SAT registration to log in and complete the CSS Profile.
3. Orphan or Ward	If you are an orphan or ward of the court, you automatically receive the fee waiver. Your eligibility is determined through your responses in the CSS Profile, similar to the automatic process for the first criterion.

Institutional CSS Profile Fee Waiver (University-Specific)

When a university, college, or program grants an institutional CSS Profile Fee Waiver, they cover the application and reporting fees on your behalf. This waiver is specific to that institution or program, and they take care of the associated costs instead of the College Board waiving it for you.

You can only use an institutional CSS Profile Fee Waiver once, so if you plan to apply to a particular university in two different admission cycles, you can only use it once. Once you use it, it expires, and you’ll need to request a new one for the next admission cycle. However, this is rare as most students apply in a single admission cycle.

Unlike College Board’s CSS Profile Fee Waivers, which are available to eligible domestic students, institutional CSS Profile fee waivers are not as widely offered to international students. While some universities are generous in providing them to international applicants, many, including some top American universities, do not offer these fee waivers to international students.

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