<p>I don't really understand what the CSS Profile is. My schools require me to file both FAFSA and a CSS Profile. What exactly is it?</p>
<p>These are both forms that need to be filled out to let schools know about your and your family's financial situation. They help them to determine your eligibility for financial aid. The FAFSA is used by (almost?) all schools and many scholarships. It is a form that you fill out on line, not a source of money. It is accessible through the FAFSA.ed.gov web site. The CSS Profile, also a form to fill out, is used by most private schools (so for private schools you fill out two forms) and is accessed through the collegeboard.com web site. You need to have all tax returns, bank statements, asset info (houses, cars, stocks, etc.) to fill out these forms. Then you get info back about your estimated family contribution, which these organizations base on the financials. The schools follow these estimates to differing degrees, and also using their own methods of calculations-- there may not really be any consistency. There is a ton of information on this forum about all of this. Begin with the schools' financial aid web sites to determine which form(s) you need to fill out to be eligible for financial aid.</p>
<p>Oh okay, thanks for the clarifications.</p>