Common questions

What is a college scholarship Service Profile?

What is a college scholarship Service Profile?

The CSS Profile, short for the College Scholarship Service Profile, is an online application created and maintained by the United States-based College Board that allows college students to apply for non-federal financial aid.

Is the CSS Profile required?

You need to file a CSS Profile only if you are looking for aid from one of the organizations or colleges on this list. The College Board will waive the fees for low-income, U.S.-based students who are applying to college for the first time. The CSS Profile requires much more financial information than the FAFSA.

How much does the CSS Profile cost?

A. The fee for the initial CSS Profile and one college or program report is $25. Additional reports are $16. CSS Profile fee waivers cover all application and reporting fees.

What colleges need a CSS Profile?

Here are a few examples of schools that accept or require the CSS Profile:

  • American University (DC)
  • William & Mary (VA)
  • Drexel University (PA)
  • Fordham University (NY)
  • Grinnell College (IA)
  • Northwestern University (IL)
  • Rice University (TX)
  • Syracuse University (NY)

What assets are included in CSS profile?

Retirement Plans and the CSS Profile Unlike on the FAFSA application, the value of retirement plans are included on the CSS Profile. According to the Profile, student and parent retirement plans (IRA, Keogh, 401k, 403b, etc.) are reported as assets for the respective owners.

What happens if I submit my CSS Profile late?

If you submit your documents late and we do not have enough time to process your financial aid application by the end of February, your financial aid application will be reviewed later, along with the Regular Decision applicants.

Do colleges look at retirement savings?

Most colleges and universities only glance at this information, and don’t include the value of your retirement accounts in the calculation to determine your financial aid eligibility. However, if a school did want to include these numbers when calculating your aid, it would certainly be within their right.

What assets are reported on CSS Profile?

Does FAFSA check your bank accounts?

Does FAFSA Check Your Bank Accounts? FAFSA doesn’t check anything, because it’s a form. However, the form does require you to complete some information about your assets, including checking and savings accounts.

What happens if I dont turn in my CSS Profile?

Absolutely you will not receive college aid from Penn if you don’t submit everything, including the CSS Profile. Generous universities, like Penn, require a fuller look at your financials than FAFSA-only schools. FAFSA will only guarantee you your federal entitlements, like Pell Grant, if eligible.

What is the College Board Financial Aid PROFILE?

The College Board Financial Aid Services has pioneered need-based financial aid solutions for over 60 years. CSS Profile is designed by and for aid administrators to manage the financial aid process in a cost-effective and efficient way. To determine eligibility, css profile uses Institutional Methodology.

How is the CSS Profile used for financial aid?

The data on your CSS Profile are analyzed and reported to the colleges and scholarship programs you have specified. They then use the report to help determine your financial aid award. To apply for federal financial aid, you have to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Find out how to complete the form.

How does financial aid work for ASU students?

An ASU Consortium Agreement allows ASU degree-seeking students to receive certain financial aid awards based on their combined enrolled hours between ASU and another school during the same semester (i.e., enrolled at ASU and a community college during the same term).

Do you need to complete the FAFSA to get financial aid?

In addition to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA ®) to determine eligibility for financial aid, some students may need to also complete the College Scholarship Services (CSS ™) Profile.