<p>I have questions about the CSS Profile that I was hoping someone knowledgeable could answer. I know that the FAFSA is filled out by EVERY student going to EVERY college all across the country, but that the CSS Profile is only used by something like 35 private schools in the country. Does this mean that there's more money to be spread around less people when going by the CSS Profile standards? Does the CSS Profile have any bearing on the Fafsa, and vice versa? I applied to Syracuse University and I filled out both, but I'm really confused as to exactly what the CSS Profile has to offer (other than charging me 25 bucks to fill out). If anyone has any answers, I would appreciate them.</p>
<p>The CSS Profile takes more things into consideration, such as equity in a home, something not asked on the FAFSA. Each school can add its own special questions, too, so it is more individualized to the school. And no, I don't think that means more money. Because the CSS Profile considers home equity as an asset, it may mean less money. It all depends upon the individual college and how it uses the information.</p>
<p>I would also clarify that many more than 35 schools use the Profile. The usage of the Profile implies that the school uses the Institutional Methodology (see the other post at <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=42159%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=42159</a> for a much more detailed discussion of the differences between Federal and Institutional Methodology).</p>
<p>Many colleges who have a significant amount of their own money to spend use the Profile to get information which the FAFSA does not collect.</p>