How and why do I fill out this profile and send it out to school. I am already in the process of submitting my FAFSA so why would I need to pay extra to fill it. I have not been really taught about it only the FAFSA up until this point.
If your colleges require the CSS Profile for consideration of their need based aid funds, you will need to complete it.
If all you want is a Direct Loan, and any Pell grant money to which you are entitled…then just do the FAFSA.
Most Profile schools are far more costly than what the Direct Loan and full Pell Grant would cover. If you need need based aid to attend one of these schools…and you want their institutional money…you will be required to sub,it what they ask you to submit. If that includes the Profile, then you will need to do it for institutional need based aid consideration.
Many private schools require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA. If you’re only considering public schools, then just do the FAFSA.
Unless those public universities require the Profile and there are more than a handful that do. Here are the ones I can think of…University of Virginia, William and Mary, Georgia Tech, UNC-CH, University of Michigan.
thank you! most of my schools (all private) excluding two that had there own free financial aid forms do require it. I am just interested to see if there’s any glaring differences between CSS and the FAFSA-- why it is necessary.
The CSS Profile takes a much more in depth look at family finances than the FAFSA. If your school requires it…you gotta do it.
Things it looks at that the FAFSA does not…
- Primary home equity
- Non-custodial parent (and spouse) information if the school requires the non-custodial parent form.
- Small business expenses.
- All assets (there is no simplified needs test for the Profile).
I’m sure there is more…