<p>So today I found out about the CSS Profile. This is quite unsettling because if I had not found out about it before my school's deadline, I would have missed out on some serious moolah. Now, I know there's the FAFSA but are there any other major scholarships like these two? I'd rather be safe than sorry.</p>
<p>Not sure what you mean. CSS Profile and FAFSA are just “forms” or “profiles” that are used by institutions, as well as the Government, to help determine what a student’s financial need is.</p>
<p>so do i need to fill out any others apps or forms whatever? am i missing anything major basically?</p>
<p>First, you need to determine if the schools to which you’re applying even require the CSS Profile. Many do not, although most that give a significant amount of aid out of their own endowments do. Deadlines may have past or may be coming up very soon. You need to check the websites of the colleges individually, or if in doubt call the financial aid office and ask.</p>
<p>Neither are FAFSA or the Profile scholarships, though. The FAFSA is a free federal form you can submit online to determine if you are eligible for any federal aid. Many colleges use the information from it to structure an aid package for students with financial need, although those aid packages do not necessarily cover the total cost of attending.</p>
<p>The CSS Profile is an application designed by the CollegeBoard and several hundred (mostly private) colleges use it because it goes into far more depth in its questions regarding financial resources available to the student. What individual colleges do with that information in terms of granting financial aid is entirely up to them.</p>
<p>The other places that aid comes from are scholarships offered by the colleges themselves --sometimes these require an additional application, sometimes they are automatic with your admission appllication. And also look for scholarship awards from outside organizations, foundations, etc. The best place to start learning about these is the counseling office at your high school.</p>
<p>Go to each individual school and look at their financial aid requirements. No one can give you a blanket answer. ONLY through looking at your application requirements will you find out. Example…I THOUGHT I’d looked through all my D’s “stuff” to make sure I filled out all my financial forms for aid. THOUGHT I had all my ducks in a row. I just HAPPENED back to Princeton and saw that they have their own form, even for RD applicants. I had NOT seen this the first time through. I thought it was odd they didn’t require CSS Profile, but did NOT see this required alternative. Another example, my D is applying to NYU which requires ONLY FAFSA (not CSS PROFILE). Yet, if one is a New York resident, there is ANOTHER required form. </p>
<p>Hopefully these schools will maybe send you a reminder e-mail if you haven’t completed any “special” form they require. But DON’T count on that. Be proactive. Do the research because no one can really say that YOU have covered all your bases.</p>
<p>GOOD LUCK!</p>
<p>Huegos…you need to check the financial aid websites for EACH college to which you applied. You will see sections for what information is required and the DEADLINES for that information. </p>
<p>Re: scholarships…check your school websites. Most scholarships that require “special applications” are due by December 1…but of course, you need to check YOUR schools to see what is required by them and when.</p>