Hi, so now that I’m done with college apps, it’s time to move onto Financial Aid Q.Q
My family doesn’t qualify for federal financial aid because we’re decently well off but someone told me to do the CSS Profile because private schools will give some money. Can someone explain the CSS Profile thing for me exactly? Also, one of the questions says “Has the student completed an income tax return for the 2015 tax year?” To be clear, is it asking about me specifically (because I don’t have an income) or my family (parents’ incomes)? Thank you!
That will be you, the student.
Thank you @4kidsdad
You will have to complete the FAFSA as well. There are only a couple of colleges that don’t use it.
And check YOUR private colleges because some of them don’t use the Profile.
What you need to do is look on every college website (for your schools) to see what they require for financial aid application materials. You will need to do those things by the DEADLINES to be considered for institutional financial aid.
Are these your schools :
If so, all except UMass require both the FAFSA and Profile for consideration for need based institutional aid. UMAss requires the FAFSA only.
^Also, CSS Profile costs money; but FAFSA is free.
Run the Net Price Calculator on each school’s web site. If you see that you won’t qualify for any aid you can talk it over with your parents about whether you want to apply just in case. You can always file the FAFSA later to get a student loan of $5500 no matter what you decide.