CSS Profile Questions! Extremely confused.

Paying for College
1

<p>Hello there!
So my family and I just realized everything that the CSS Profile needs... we were planning to complete it last weekend and forgot. We tried to do it today but couldn't (I thought it would be a really simple thing since Collegeboard makes it seem so easy haha, but definitely not the case for us) and will start it tomorrow when we'll have the documents needed printed out.</p>

<p>What forms are needed?
I saw the list on Collegeboard, but are there any other forms needed that we might not think of right away? I read somewhere that it's good to have pay stubs or something? We aren't the most financial-savvy people or have the best paper-organization skills (especially me... I know nothing about any of the forms required), so we'll need to search for the required documents. I know this will take at least a few hours to complete, but we aren't sure exactly how in-depth it goes... I've just heard that it's hard and takes a lot of time and requires estimation of next year's tax returns? If anyone can let me know the forms they used, that would be amazing.</p>

<p>Also, I'm applying EA to Yale and their CSS deadline is November 1. If I submit the CSS Profile on Friday or Saturday, will it be considered on time? I saw that Collegeboard recommends sending it no later than two weeks prior to the deadline (and that's Friday) so I'm starting to worry now. I've finished everything else for them except for this CSS thing.</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

2

<p>I would estimate using last years tax records, unless your income has drastically changed.
The closer you can get to being accurate, the more accurate your aid package will be.</p>

3

<p>If you have last years tax return 2012, and the most recent pay stubs of this year 2013, you should be able to make decent estimates. Use your current pay stub to find the Year To Date (ytd) numbers…then add in 1/4 more for the remaining three months of this year.</p>

4

<p>Thank you both! Will be sure to have that.</p>

5

<p>How difficult it is depends on your family’s financial situation. If all income is W-2 wages and perhaps some interest/dividend income it’s not too bad. As mentioned you would need YTD pay stub totals and project to a full 12 months. For interest/dividends, monthly statements or you can probably go online to the accounts and find YTD amounts and adjust for 12 months. You will also need savings and investment account balances which you should be able to get online.</p>

<p>If either parent is self employed, owns a business or if your family has rental properties etc. it is more difficult.</p>

6

<p>Thank you! It was so much simpler than I was thinking it would be. Having simple finances definitely helps–only took about an hour to complete! I do have a few sections we didn’t fill out because we need to ask Collegeboard, but not too many and everything is basically done. </p>

<p>Thank you all again!</p>